Chair for the Department of Physical Therapy

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Health Professions in Memphis, TN is seeking a dynamic and innovative Chair for the Department of Physical Therapy. The successful candidate will lead by example in advancing interdisciplinary departmental research in rehabilitative and regenerative sciences. Candidates having a funded research program in rehabilitation and movement science are particularly encouraged to apply. The new chair will also help to grow the national ranking of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as well as reshaping the clinical practice programs, growing programs on new campuses and recruiting research and clinical faculty to the department as part of the emphasis for research and program expansion.

The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) offers an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program on the Memphis campus which is the oldest program in physical therapy in the state. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree and will be eligible to take the national licensure exam for physical therapists. The Department of Physical Therapy is located within the College of Health Professions. The program is designed as a full time “4 + 3” program that leads to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Students complete four years of pre-professional coursework at other colleges or universities and then complete three years of professional education on the Memphis campus of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. DPT students complete clinical rotations at prestigious health care facilities including world-renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is ranked as the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital on U.S. News & World Report's 28th Annual “Best Hospitals” list, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital which has 8 pediatrics programs ranked in the top 20 nationally, and the Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics which is among the 34th largest Orthopedic clinics in the United States and is recognized as a national leader in sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedics, joint replacement, orthopaedic oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery of the hand, hip, foot, knee, shoulder and spine. The preferred candidate will be research-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills seeking a leadership opportunity to direct the efforts of a collegial faculty housed on an academic health center campus. This is a 12-month, tenure-track appointment. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with experience and track record. The position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, but has plans to expand the department to new campuses in Nashville and Knoxville.

Required Qualifications:

• Eligible for Tennessee licensure as a Physical Therapist
• Ph.D., Ed.D., or M.D., with PT, or DPT and with board certification
• Nationally/internationally recognized leader in scholarship/research as evidenced through a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills
• A commitment to supporting research efforts in the department that are consistent with the College’s Strategic Plan
• A commitment to recruiting a diverse student body and faculty to the department
• A commitment to graduate education
• A commitment to developing as an academic leader
• Experience with CAPTE accreditation.

The College of Health Professions
The College serves as an administrative home for allied health programs offered through the Departments of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Health Informatics and Information Management, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Plans are for new departments and programs to add to the College over the next three years, as the college moves to an exciting phase of unprecedented growth in research, education, and clinical service.

The Health Sciences Center
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Memphis campus (http://www.uthsc.edu/aboututhsc/) comprises six colleges – Health Professions, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The Memphis Core Teaching Hospitals include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, Regional One Health, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Memphis VA Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital. UTHSC has a long and rich tradition of accomplishments in basic, clinical and translational research in a wide variety of disciplines focused on the health issues that impact our community, our region, the state of Tennessee and the world. UTHSC investigators are supported by both government grants and private funding. The Cancer Center Building opened in 2007 and is the Mid-South’s only adult cancer research facility, housing 32 research laboratories, and more than 65 scientists. The 140,000-square foot Translational Science Research Building opened in 2016 which currently houses ~ 40 investigators who are focused on cardiovascular and related diseases. During the last fiscal year, UTHSC generated ~$85 million in sponsored programs, including NIH and grants from private foundations. See https://www.uthsc.edu/research/ for more information. The UT system has a combined student enrollment of more than 49,000 students, over 360,000 living alumni, and a total endowment that tops $1 billion.

Memphis
Memphis is an exciting city that offers visitors and residents opportunities for a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities ( http://www.memphistn.gov/Visitors/Visiting-Memphis). Memphis has a rich history that is celebrated with the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, Graceland, and the Children’s Museum. Memphis has a long heritage of music, and it is home of the Blues and the birthplace of rock and roll. It hosts jazz festivals, Beale Street and Sun Studios. Memphis is the Barbecue (BBQ) pork capital of the world and hosts the Memphis in May International Festival and World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest. In sports, Memphis is home to the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) basketball team, the Memphis Redbirds (AAA) baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, and the various collegiate sports of the University of Memphis. Memphis has many outdoor experiences ranging from Shelby Farms Greenline, hiking, water activities, bicycle-friendly lanes, and jogging paths. It has the outstanding Memphis Zoo which was voted one of America’s Top 10 by Fodor’s travel and has an easily accessed international airport. The city has several theaters, the Memphis Ballet, and the Memphis Symphony. It has diverse and eclectic neighborhoods and affordable housing of various types with no state income tax.

Greenwood/Asher & Associates (GA/A), an executive search firm, is assisting UTHSC in the search. A complete application will include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position, current curriculum vitae, and the names of five references with titles, mailing addresses, business/home telephone numbers, and email addresses. All documents should be submitted in PDF format. Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, address, telephone number, and email address of the nominee.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to:
Jan Greenwood, Betty Turner Asher, Partners
Joe Stanley, Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272
Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: joestanley@greenwoodsearch.com

For more information about UTHSC and the College of Health Professions and the Department of Physical Therapy, please visit: http://uthsc.edu/health-professions/ and https://www.uthsc.edu/health-professions/physicaltherapy/index.php

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 920 Madison Avenue, Suite 825, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, telephone 901-448-7382 (V/TTY available). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.