Chair, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science - Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Supporting Our Community’s Mental Health, Leading with Vision

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. This is a compelling opportunity for a distinguished and visionary academic leader to shape the future of a high-impact department, with a firm commitment to clinical excellence, innovative education, robust research, and meaningful community engagement. The Chair will have the opportunity to lead and expand programs serving one of the nation’s most diverse and underserved urban populations while advancing Temple’s mission of academic and clinical distinction.

The Chair will serve as the academic, clinical, and administrative leader of the Department, with responsibility for setting strategic direction and providing operational oversight across all departmental activities at Temple University Hospital campuses, including the Episcopal Campus. Reporting directly to the Dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, the Chair will work in close partnership with Temple Health leadership to advance departmental priorities, strengthen clinical and academic programs, and support institutional strategic initiatives.

The Chair will provide decisive leadership and inspire excellence in clinical care, education, and scholarly activity, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The Department comprises twenty-four (24) physician-faculty members who deliver comprehensive psychiatric services across inpatient and outpatient settings at Temple University Hospital and the Episcopal Campus. Behavioral Health services include long- and short-term adult inpatient care, a full-service outpatient program specializing in psychotherapy and pharmacologic management, and a Crisis Response Center that provides psychiatric emergency services for individuals experiencing acute mental or behavioral health crises. In all clinical and academic endeavors, the Chair will work closely with the Dean to ensure exceptional educational experiences for medical students, residents, and fellows.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic psychiatrist with demonstrated experience in clinical and academic leadership, program development, faculty recruitment and mentorship, and operational and fiscal management, as well as a strong record of scholarly achievement. The Chair will exemplify integrity, inclusivity, and institutional stewardship while cultivating a culture of respect, accountability, and community engagement. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of emerging trends in psychiatry and the ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across institutional and community settings. Through visionary leadership and a steadfast commitment to Temple’s mission of service, the Chair will guide the Department in delivering equitable, high-quality care and advancing the legacy of the University’s founding President, Dr. Russell Conwell.

Key priorities for the Chair will include expanding clinical services within the Substance Use Disorder Clinic; continued growth of the Health System’s Integrated Behavioral Health and Perinatal Behavioral Health programs; and enhancing the Department’s research footprint through strengthened collaboration with investigators from the LKSOM Center for Substance Use Research (CSAR), faculty engagement, and scholarly presentations. Additional priorities include overseeing ongoing physical safety initiatives at the Episcopal Campus and ensuring that all departmental programs consistently meet or exceed the quality, safety, and performance standards established by Temple University Health System (TUHS).

Key Relationships
The Chairperson is accountable directly to:

Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS
The Marjorie Joy Katz Dean, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Claire Raab, MD
President and CEO, Temple Faculty Physicians

Core Leadership Responsibilities
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the Department that aligns with the Katz and Temple Faculty Physicians strategic plan. The plan should address the following five areas of responsibility: Clinical Care, Educational Mission (medical students, other professional students, residents and fellows, faculty and outreach CME), Faculty Mentoring (promotion, clinical, educational, and research productivity), Research (grant support, publications, presentations), and Administrative.
• Create an environment of professionalism, respect, tolerance, and belonging for all.
• Create and execute strategies to engage with local communities, building trust and fostering partnerships.
• Partner with Faculty Affairs and Education to develop faculty programs for academic and professional growth.
• Manage the resources of the department's clinical, research, and educational enterprise prudently and effectively.
• Communicate effectively and frequently with leadership and the faculty and staff to ensure that strategies and activities of the department enterprise are aligned with the organization's mission, vision, and goals.
• Develop a plan for recruiting, supporting, and mentoring faculty. Participate in faculty career development plans and retention efforts. Provide an annual evaluation of all department faculty. Make recommendations on faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure.
• Provide administrative direction and supervision to the department’s faculty and staff.
• Plan effectively for the anticipated demand for clinical services from expanding patient volumes, ensuring sufficient facilities, technologies, operations, staffing, and outreach activities.
• Ensure that clinical operations are patient-centered, efficient, effective, high-quality, and safe.
• Advance research activities consistent with the growth of clinical programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Research and the Director of the Temple Addiction Research and Medicine Institute to lead this high-priority area of scholarship and clinical focus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with leaders of various entities in advancing medical education.
• Ability to understand and uphold the highest ethical standards and maintain the organization's integrity.
• Personal record of distinguished scholarly, educational, research (basic and/or translational), and/or clinical accomplishments in Pediatrics.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and groups representing numerous societal interests and needs.
• Demonstrated records of program building and development, collaboration, community engagement, clinical care, education, and leadership.
• Experienced in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff from various backgrounds and recognizes the responsibilities of leadership in providing mentorship.
• Proven ability to develop and execute short- and long-term strategic initiatives.
• Experience leading complex clinical programs or departments.
• Track record of securing research funding or leading clinical trials.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus, given the patient population served.
• Familiarity with urban health challenges and community-based care models.

Educational Requirements and Minimum Qualifications
This position requires an MD or equivalent. Qualified candidates must be board-certified in Psychiatry and Neurology and qualified for an academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor (preferred) in the medical school. They must have an outstanding record of clinical care, research, scholarship, and mentoring/education. Candidates with additional pertinent degrees (Ph.D., M.B.A., and M.P.H.) and/or fellowship training are encouraged to apply. Candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Lastly, candidates should be active participants in specialty organizations/committees at the regional and national levels and must be able to obtain medical licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Appointment, Benefits/Compensation
Annual compensation shall be determined based on the selected individual's experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, there is a comprehensive suite of benefits—including a generous 403(b) retirement match, 457(b), 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. Applications will not be considered complete until you have submitted all the required documents and information.

Application materials should include: a current curriculum vitae, a comprehensive letter of interest summarizing all relevant experience, qualifications, clinical, educational, and research interests, and a one-page summary of leadership accomplishments and philosophy. Candidates applying for this position must also provide a statement of contributions to working effectively in an urban environment.

Please address your application to: Paul M. Katz, MD, Chair, Department of Neurology and Search Committee Chairperson, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, C/O Michael R. Lester, Assistant Dean, Physician/Faculty Recruitment & Retention, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Confidential inquiries and candidate nominations should be directed to Michael Lester.

Temple University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.