Vice Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education and Vice Chief Academic Officer

Vice Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education and Vice Chief Academic Officer

Job Description / Duties

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSOM) seeks a visionary academic leader to serve as Vice Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) and Vice Chief Academic Officer (CAO). The Vice Dean/Vice CAO will guide the MD program’s strategic direction and operational excellence across two campuses, Winston-Salem and Charlotte, united under one school, advancing a personalized, forward-looking curriculum (Wake Ready) that integrates basic, clinical, and health systems science with early patient exposure.

WFUSOM is a nationally recognized, research-intensive institution with deep roots and a history of excellence in biomedical innovation, patient care, and professional training. Established in 1902, it now educates nearly 1,900 students and fellows, including MD, MD/PhD, allied health, and graduate trainees, through over 1,300 faculty across its Winston‑Salem campus and its newly inaugurated four-year regional campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. WFUSOM consistently ranks in the top third of U.S. medical schools for NIH-funded research and is accredited by LCME, reflecting its enduring commitment to educational excellence and rigorous scholarship.

The Vice Dean of UME/Vice CAO will join a highly dedicated faculty and staff committed to student success and educational excellence. WFUSOM students are academically exceptional and deeply engaged, and the faculty take pride in their collaboration and adaptability. The Charlotte campus welcomed its inaugural class in 2025 and operates in a state-of-the-art facility within The Pearl innovation district, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of medical education in a rapidly evolving environment.

This role comes at a time of extraordinary growth. WFUSOM is implementing the Wake Ready curriculum, introducing a future three-year MD pathway and new online programs, while ensuring LCME accreditation standards are met across both campuses. The Vice Dean of UME/Vice CAO will lead efforts to harmonize educational experiences and outcomes across distinct instructional models and foster faculty development.

The Vice Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education and Vice CAO will be an accomplished academic leader with a demonstrated record of innovation and excellence in medical education. The ideal candidate will hold an MD and be eligible for faculty appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor. They will bring substantial experience in curriculum design and implementation, LCME accreditation processes, and continuous quality improvement within an MD program. Success in leading complex academic operations, preferably across multiple campuses or distributed learning environments, is essential.

For confidential nominations or expressions of interest, please contact the search consultant team of Kimberly Smith and Ashley Rittgers at [email protected].