Immediate Start: Chair, Department of Dermatology

Company: University of California Davis
Location: Sacramento
Posted on: November 3, 2025

Job Description:

UC Davis School of Medicine (SOM) is seeking a forward-thinking, collaborative academic dermatologist to take on the role of Chair for its Department of Dermatology (Chair). This is a unique opportunity for a physician leader to collaborate with both the SOM and UC Davis Health system leadership in elevating an already strong foundation of clinical care, education, and research. The Chair will be central to shaping the Department’s future – through strategic growth, recruitment, and impactful outreach. The SOM is among the nation's leading medical schools committed to scholarly advancement and education, and it is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report for these efforts. The Institution excels at translating scientific discoveries and new technology into improved patient care with a research-funding portfolio of over 1,300 active awards with more than $400 million in extramural funding. As the clinical engine, UC Davis Health is a multibillion-dollar health system within the University of California System with more than 1.2 million outpatient and 40,000 inpatient visits each year across the 646-bed academic medical center, 32 ambulatory sites, and a 1,000-member medical group. The Institution includes multiple areas of excellence, including: an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, nationally recognized research centers in both neurodevelopmental disorders and Alzheimer's Disease, an NCATS-funded Clinical Translational Science Center, a nationally ranked children's hospital, a forward-thinking and pioneering telehealth program, Magnet designation, and multiple other awards. The Department of Dermatology at UC Davis is a well-reputed department with a storied history of growth and success across its missions of clinical care, education, research, and community outreach. With 29 faculty and 103 staff, the Department received $6 million in research grant funding in 2024, of which approximately $1.5 million was awarded by the NIH. Residency and fellowship training programs offered by the Department are highly competitive and sought after in the medical community. The Department offers a broad range of dermatology services to patients across the Sacramento region. Reporting to the Dean, UC Davis School of Medicine, the Chair will be charged with leading the continued success of a nationally prominent Department of Dermatology into the future with creativity and collaboration. They will be the strategic and operational leader of all missions – field-expanding clinical, translational, and basic science research; education to train future clinicians and researchers; and the highest quality, innovative clinical care. Success in this role will be judged upon expanding clinical operations to serve a growing patient population, funding, and success impactful and innovative research, competitive training programs, and a culture that attracts and retains the best in dermatology faculty. The next Chair will be a renowned academic physician with a leadership track record and skillset to take the Department into a future of excellence across all clinical and academic missions. We seek candidates with experience leading operations and growth strategies in an academic healthcare setting. The ideal candidate will be a skilled researcher with a history of securing funding and building talented research teams to expand the field of dermatology and collaborate with other disciplines. They will be visionary with strong business acumen to understand the changing needs of an academic dermatology department and how to lead strategically and culturally. They will serve as a mentor for faculty of all ranks and will be able to attract, evaluate, and recruit the best of the best in the field of dermatology. Candidates must possess an M.D. or equivalent degree, board certification in Dermatology, and qualify for appointment to Associate Professor or Professor at the SOM. Additional advanced degrees will be of added value. Confidential review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately. Please direct all nominations and inquiries to Aaron Mitra and Kimberly Smith, through the office of Katie Haddock, preferably via e-mail, to khaddock@wittkieffer.com. Formal application materials must also be submitted via the UC Recruit system, located at prior to formal review by the search committee. Document requirements include: a cover letter; curriculum vitae; authorization to release information; and references who will be contacted during the finalist stage. The salary range for this position is $650,000 - $770,000. This position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation plan (

Keywords: University of California Davis, Sacramento , Immediate Start: Chair, Department of Dermatology, Science, Research & Development , Sacramento, California