Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Visas Accepted N/A Specialty Practice Details
JOB SUMMARY
The Vice President of Medical Affairs (VPMA) is a key physician leader responsible for advancing Sanford Health's mission, vision, and values within their designated sub-region/market. Reporting directly to the Chief Physician, the VPMA collaborates with the Market President, Chief Medical Officer, and other system and local leaders to ensure clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and superior patient experience. This role provides strategic and operational leadership in physician engagement, quality improvement, patient safety, and recruitment, aligning regional performance with system-wide goals.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Strategic Leadership and Governance
- Serve as the primary physician leader for the region, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and standards.
- Act as the 'one-up' for Department Chairs and assume Department Chair responsibilities when a department lacks appointed leadership.
- Conduct monthly meetings with Department Chairs to review performance, address challenges, and drive improvement initiatives.
- Attend local Medical Executive Committee (MEC) meetings in a non-voting advisory capacity, supporting governance and collaboration between medical staff and administration. Quality, Safety, and Patient Experience
- Co-lead with the Regional President and Chief Medical Officer to monitor and improve ambulatory and acute care quality metrics.
- Champion evidence-based practices and patient safety initiatives to achieve top-tier performance in clinical outcomes.
- Drive strategies to enhance patient experience, ensuring care is compassionate, timely, and patient-centered. Provider Engagement and Professionalism
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement among physicians and advanced practice providers.
- Address physician and advanced practice providers' behavior concerns promptly and constructively, promoting professionalism and adherence to organizational standards.
- Participate in peer review processes to ensure fair, consistent, and transparent evaluation of clinical performance. Clinical & Operational Oversight
- Partner to implement system initiatives such as timely documentation, provider-based billing (PBB), EHR optimization, and other enterprise priorities.
- Collaborate with regional leadership to develop and expand clinical services that meet community needs.
- Monitor operational performance and work with administrative teams to resolve barriers impacting patient care delivery. Provider Recruitment and Workforce Development
- Partner with recruitment teams to attract and retain high-quality physicians and advanced practice providers.
- Support onboarding and integration of new providers to ensure smooth transitions and alignment with organizational expectations.
- Mentor physician leaders and department chairs to strengthen leadership capabilities within the region.
Community Description In the Northwoods you will find a relaxed, safe, and secure environment. The area is known for its small-town friendliness - a place where neighbors truly care about each other. With an extremely low crime rate, our Northwoods communities are perfect for raising children and supporting old-fashioned family values. Education is a top priority in Minocqua, with the state of Wisconsin ranking consistently in the top 3 nationally, and our elementary schools ranking higher than state averages. When you want to travel out of the area, you will have access to the Rhinelander Airport in 30 minutes and the Central WI Airport is 90 minutes away; Madison is a 3-hour drive, Minneapolis/St. Paul is a 4-hour drive, Milwaukee or Chicago is a 5-hour drive, and you're only 90 minutes to the Shores of Lake Superior. Lakeland area population is approximately 10,000.
Fun Fact:
Minocqua is home to a 30' tall snowman in the winter called "Snowmy Kromer" due to the Stormy Kromer that is placed on top of his head! Job Description The Vice President of Medical Affairs (VPMA) is a key physician leader responsible for advancing Sanford Health's mission, vision, and values within their designated sub-region/market. Reporting directly to the Chief Physician, the VPMA collaborates with the Market President, Chief Medical Officer, and other system and local leaders to ensure clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and superior patient experience. This role provides strategic and operational leadership in physician engagement, quality improvement, patient safety, and recruitment, aligning regional performance with system-wide goals. Qualifications MD or DO required. Rural experience preferred. Board certification required. Primary Care Specialty certification preferred. Compensation Sanford Health offers a nationally competitive compensation plan with an additional physician benefits package including a health, dental and vision insurance, 401K plan, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, CME allowance, allowed time away, malpractice insurance and tail coverage, and a relocation allowance. Sanford Health - Marshfield Clinic is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This may qualify you for additional state and/or federal education loan forgiveness programs.
Recruiter Information Brad Sharkey, Manager, Physician Recruitment Phone:
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Email:
brad.sharkey@sanfordhealth.org Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org. The Sanford organization owns and manages multiple distinct brands, including Sanford Health, Marshfield Clinic, and Good Samaritan, as well as Lewis Drug, Sanford Health Equip, Solutions by Sanford, Great Shots, and Blue Rock Bar & Grill. Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization's transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Learn more about Sanford Health's commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News. Good Samaritan, one of the nation's largest nonprofit providers of senior care and services, is committed to transforming the aging experience through innovation, compassion and personalized care. As part of Sanford Health, an integrated nonprofit health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Good Samaritan serves 10,000 seniors and offers access to a full continuum of care, including 94 rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, 56 assisted living and memory care facilities, 44 independent living locations and 37 home health and hospice agencies. The senior care provider delivers services across the upper Midwest, with 70% of residents living in rural communities. Learn more about Good Samaritan's mission and commitment to delivering high quality senior care in rural America at good-sam.com.
