Chief Medical Officer

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness : Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance : PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness : Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development : Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks : Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

Position Summary

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as the senior clinical leader of the hospital, responsible for overseeing the quality and delivery of medical care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and guiding strategic clinical initiatives. The CMO plays a pivotal role in aligning clinical operations with the hospital's mission to provide equitable, high-quality care to a diverse urban population. This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate the complexities of modern healthcare delivery while maintaining clinical excellence and fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and physician well-being. The CMO reports to the Chief Executive Officer, and the employment type can be full-time or flexible.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Oversight

Lead and manage the hospital's medical staff and care delivery programs

Ensure consistent, evidence-based clinical practices across departments

Oversee credentialing, peer review, and performance evaluation of medical staff

Provide direct leadership to department chairs, medical directors, and clinical service lines

Foster a culture of clinical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Quality & Patient Safety

Collaborate with the Chief Quality Officer to implement and monitor patient safety and quality improvement initiatives

Develop and enforce clinical policies and protocols to meet regulatory and accreditation standards

Monitor and improve key performance metrics including mortality rates, readmission rates, hospital-acquired conditions, and patient satisfaction scores

Lead root cause analysis and implementation of corrective action plans for adverse events

Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and DC Department of Health requirements

Technology & Digital Health Strategy

Oversee electronic health record (EHR) optimization and clinical documentation improvement

Champion the adoption of digital health technologies, telehealth services, and remote patient monitoring

Guide the implementation of clinical decision support tools, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics

Collaborate with IT leadership to enhance clinical workflows and interoperability

Strategic Planning & Collaboration

Partner with executive leadership to shape and execute strategic goals

Collaborate with academic partners (e.g., George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates) on education, research, and clinical integration

Represent clinical interests to the hospital's governing board and external stakeholders

Lead the development and execution of the clinical strategic plan aligned with organizational priorities

Population Health & Value-Based Care

Drive population health management initiatives and care coordination programs

Lead participation in value-based care models, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and bundled payment programs

Develop strategies to address social determinants of health and health equity gaps

Establish partnerships with payers to optimize quality outcomes and financial performance

Operational & Financial Stewardship

Participate in budget planning and resource allocation for clinical services

Support utilization management and cost-effective care delivery without compromising quality

Monitor clinical productivity, efficiency metrics, and capacity management

Identify opportunities for service line growth and clinical program development

Medical-Legal & Risk Management

Oversee medical liability risk management and claims review processes

Ensure appropriate documentation and compliance with medical-legal standards

Partner with legal counsel on malpractice defense and risk mitigation strategies

Maintain oversight of informed consent processes and patient rights protections

Crisis Management & Emergency Preparedness

Lead hospital response to public health emergencies, natural disasters, and mass casualty events

Develop and maintain emergency operations plans and business continuity strategies

Serve as clinical liaison during pandemic response and community health crises

Ensure staff preparedness through training, drills, and simulation exercises

Physician Well-being & Organizational Culture

Champion initiatives to prevent physician burnout and promote mental health support

Foster a culture of respect, psychological safety, and professional development

Address workplace concerns and conflicts among medical staff

Promote work-life integration and support for clinician well-being programs

Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the medical staff

Community Engagement

Serve as a visible leader in the community, advocating for public health initiatives and equitable access to care

Foster relationships with local health departments, academic institutions, and community organizations

Represent the hospital in media engagements and community forums

Support outreach programs addressing health disparities in underserved populations

Direct Reports

Medical Directors / Department Chairs

Chief Quality Officer (matrixed relationship)

Medical Staff Services / Credentialing Director

Graduate Medical Education Director (if applicable)

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by :

Patient safety metrics (e.g., hospital-acquired infection rates, surgical site infections, medication errors)

Clinical quality outcomes (e.g., mortality index, readmission rates, core measure compliance)

Patient experience scores (HCAHPS)

Regulatory compliance (Joint Commission, CMS, state licensure)

Physician engagement and satisfaction scores

Financial performance of clinical services

Achievement of strategic clinical initiatives

Qualifications

Required

Medical degree (MD or DO) from an accredited institution

Board certification in a clinical specialty recognized by the ABMS

Active or eligible for a District of Columbia medical license

Minimum 10 years of clinical experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within an acute care hospital

Proven expertise in hospital operations, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance

Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare

Current DEA license (or ability to obtain)

Preferred

Advanced degree or certification (MBA, MHA, MPH, MMM, or CPE)

Fellowship or formal training in healthcare administration or physician leadership

Experience working in urban healthcare settings and academic medical centers

Familiarity with the healthcare needs of underserved and diverse populations

Ability to maintain a clinical practice alongside administrative duties

Track record of successful change management and organizational transformation

Experience with value-based care models and population health initiatives

Bilingual capabilities (Spanish preferred given DC demographics)

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and market standards for urban academic medical centers

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans

Medical malpractice insurance with tail coverage

Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance and protected time

Leadership development opportunities

Relocation assistance available

Equal Opportunity Employer : We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range : $375,000 - $425,000

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