Director, Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB)

Director, Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB)

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

www.temple.edu/medicine

The Opportunity

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University (TU) seeks a dynamic individual to serve as Director of the Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB).  The new Director will be expected to carry on the program’s vision of a more ethical world where individuals and communities have an equitable capacity for health.  This is an outstanding opportunity for the new leader to build upon the Center's current strengths, continue to teach, bring new knowledge, and partner collaboratively with the North Philadelphia community and Philadelphia and PA governmental agencies.

 

The new Center Director will demonstrate the leadership, management ability, and administrative experience to take the Center to the next level of achievement in its three core missions – education, research, and community engagement. The successful candidate will formulate and steward, in conjunction with key stakeholders, short, mid, and long-term strategic plans for the Center to identify opportunities for growth in all phases of Temple's mission. The Director will promote and encourage diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and display transparent financial stewardship of the Center, School, University, and State resources in the development and oversight of the budget for the Center. The successful candidate will be a spokesperson and advocate for the Center and University in the community and for the community in the Center and University.  

 

Incorporated into the Center's work is explicit attention to the social and structural determinants of health and the larger issues of marginalization and disempowerment of historically underrepresented and ignored communities of people that further fuel inequities. Educational and research programs are designed to foster the capacity for community and individual health. It is paramount to the success and progress of the Center’s work that all activity is driven by community engagement.

 

The Director of the Center Urban Bioethics will ensure that the teaching mission of the Center continues to grow in excellence. The Center Director will:  provide strategic insight for the Center's flagship education program, the MA in Urban Bioethics; support and encourage the Center's faculty in the presentation of scholarship locally, nationally, and internationally; provide teaching-track faculty members with opportunities for professional growth and development while ensuring that the goals of the Center, School, and University are achieved;  and contribute to Center sponsored education in bioethics, the social and structural determinants of health, health policy, community engagement, immigrant health, service learning, and other related topics within the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and Temple University.  This includes but is not limited to medical, physician assistant, post-baccalaureate, and dental students.

 

The Center Director will encourage strong interdisciplinary research collaboration with investigators within the Center, the School of Medicine, and other schools and research centers throughout the University. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in presenting and publishing scholarly activity, promote an atmosphere conducive to research & scholarship, and stimulate high levels of scholarly productivity by Center faculty as reflected in publications in peer-reviewed journals and invited presentations.

 

The Director will champion community engagement and work with the Center's primary community partners to continue ongoing collaborative discussions around health equity related to service, research, and education. The new leader will support community partners with like-minded goals to facilitate increased community involvement in research and bring community expertise into the medical school community regarding community engagement, education, and research.

 

 

 

Reporting Structure/Key Relationships

The Center Director of the Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB) will be accountable directly to the Dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Currently, there are two full-time tenure-track faculty and three NTT Instructional faculty who report directly to the CUB Director. Seven additional Temple faculty have secondary appointments in CUB, with their space and reporting lines within their home departments.  CUB administratively sits in the Department of Urban Health and Population Science, where there are two other research Centers:  The Center for Asian Health (CAH) and The Hope Center. Key relationships include the Chair of the Department of Urban Health and Population Science, the respective Directors of the CAH and the Hope Center, as well as members of Temple University governmental affairs and city/state governmental partners.

 

About the Center for Urban Bioethics

 

Mission

 

1. The Center for Urban Bioethics is committed to eliminating health disparities through education and research.
2. We conduct interdisciplinary education to give clinicians, researchers, and policymakers the tools to advance health equity.
3. We foster community-driven research to influence structural change that impacts medical care and sectors beyond it.
4. We design innovative models to address the most prevalent issues our communities face.
5. Social justice and solidarity with our community form the unifying thread of our work.

The Center for Urban Bioethics was established in 2010. Through support and the financial backing of a seed grant awarded by Temple University’s Office of the Provost, the Center for Urban Bioethics quickly became a leader and pioneer in the field, establishing a unique foothold within the world of bioethics.  CUB also created the first and only Master of Arts degree program in Urban Bioethics in the country.

 

The Center consists of faculty and staff from a variety of disciplines, including physicians, clinicians, juris doctorates, social workers, anthropologists, community health workers, and other partners. Having the Center rooted in community engagement is paramount. Therefore, community residents are central to the design, implementation, and evaluation of the programs – and CUB employs key staff from the North Philadelphia community who enhance the credibility and effectiveness of its research, programs, and educational initiatives.

 

To learn more about the Center for Urban Bioethics (CUB), click HERE

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to understand and uphold the highest degree of ethical standards and maintain the integrity of the organization.
• Personal record of scholarly, educational, research, and/or clinical accomplishments.
• Competency in navigating the interaction of the educational, research, and service missions of a complex academic medical center.
• Strong personal and professional commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce where inclusion and belonging are paramount and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and groups representing numerous societal interests and needs.
• Record of program building and development, collaboration, community engagement, and leadership.

• Skilled at the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff; values the role of a leader in mentorship.
• Excellent verbal, written, and group presentation skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute short and long-term strategic initiatives.

• Commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all constituents.

• Active participant in local, regional, and national organizations and committees.

• Style that fosters and supports change and innovation, with an ability to delegate yet maintain overall control and high standards.
• Sensitivity to the culture, needs, and aspirations of the community.
• Ability to effect change in a complex academic environment through consensus building, collaboration, effective use of data, and the ability to influence and persuade.

 

Specific Responsibilities

• Work closely and collaboratively with faculty, department chairs, and staff.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
• Encourage and support diversity among the research enterprise constituents, creating an environment of professionalism, respect, tolerance, and belonging for all.
• Foster innovative and collaborative, interdisciplinary research.
• In conjunction with the School of Medicine’s Faculty Affairs and Education units, create programs for the academic and professional development of faculty.
• Provide oversight, planning, and management of CUB’, working with LKSOM’s finance office.
• Promote a strong culture of institutional responsibility, including a commitment to excellent, efficient, and effective business operations and use of space. 
• Work with other campus research leaders on strategic research partnerships.
• Manage the resources of the research enterprise prudently and effectively.
• Communicate effectively and frequently with the Dean and administrative leadership, as well as with the faculty and staff, to ensure that strategies and activities of the research enterprise are aligned with the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
• Develop a plan for recruiting, supporting, and mentoring faculty.  Participate in faculty career development plans and retention efforts. Complete an annual evaluation of all Center faculty. Make recommendations on faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure.
• Create a strategic plan for CUB, including the development of key areas of research and training in consultation with faculty members and other School leaders.
• Create an environment that provides the infrastructure to support the highest quality of research.
• Contribute to the training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research scientists and the education of professional students.
• Participate actively in national organizations to represent the Center, School, and University effectively.
• Provide support to and oversight of the administrative staff to ensure effective and efficient operations. 
• Partner with Institutional Advancement, the Dean and other LKSOM leadership and institutional partners to identify a longitudinal and sustained funding strategy for Center programs.
• Create a strong, data-driven strategic plan, communicate its elements to relevant stakeholders, and effectively track metrics over time.
• Demonstrate success in meeting benchmarks in the strategic plan.
• Conduct ongoing and annual program reviews to assess the program's strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement and develop dashboards/measures of success. Incorporate internal and external feedback into an action plan for the future.

 

Educational Requirements

This position requires a doctoral degree, including Ph.D., MD/Ph.D., or equivalent.  The candidate must hold the highest certification possible in their field and maintain excellence in his/her area of expertise.  The individual must be qualified for an academic appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in the medical school and have an outstanding research, scholarship, and mentoring/education record.

 

Faculty Appointment, Benefits/Compensation

The Center Director will carry a non-Tenure Track or Tenure Track faculty appointment as an Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Urban Health and Population Science at LKSOM.  The annual compensation shall be determined based on experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, there is a comprehensive suite of benefits – including a generous 403b retirement match, health, dental, vision, life, malpractice, tuition remission, and CME, among others. 

 

Procedure for Candidacy

To be considered for this position, you must complete an online application, which is available here: https://bit.ly/3LBqMwT

 

Your application will not be considered complete until you have submitted all the required documents and information. 

 

Application materials should include the following: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, one-page summary of current research interests and past accomplishments, and a one-page summary of educational and leadership philosophy and accomplishments.  LKSOM values diversity and is committed to working towards achieving equity and inclusion within all of its programs. Candidates applying for this position are required to provide a statement addressing how they would utilize their experience and knowledge to promote diversity and inclusion, and how that commitment would add value to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

 

The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

 

For confidential inquires and or questions about the opportunity please contact, Michael Lester, Assistant Dean, Physician/Faculty Recruitment and Retention, LKSOM, Email: michael.lester@tuhs.temple.edu

 

We are especially interested in qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups. For more information about diversity at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, please visit the Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

 

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for employment at Temple University, unless granted a religious or medical exemption (see www.temple.edu/coronavirus).

 

Temple University is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute through their research, teaching, and/or service to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.