Senior Director Oncology Service Line – UCHealth Southern Region Retained Search

Summit Talent Group has been retained by Colorado’s largest and most innovative health system, UCHealth (www.uchealth.org) to conduct a national search for a Senior Director Oncology Service Line. In 2023, UCHealth hospitals were honored by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in multiple procedures/conditions with the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora ranking #1 in Colorado.

Since its formation in 2012, UCHealth has grown from three to fourteen hospitals (plus four affiliates) and seen significant expansion in ambulatory services. UCHealth three markets include: Northern CO region, Denver Metro region, and Southern CO region. In addition, UCHealth Medical Group includes 1500 physicians and APP’s. With 30,332 employees, UCHealth recorded more than $6.9 billion in total operating revenue in FY23.

Functioning as the “CEO” for UCHealth Southern Region Oncology Service Line, the incumbent will lead the coordination, integration, and direction for cancer care in the greater Colorado Springs area and in expanded markets. Oncology services are provided at UCHealth Cancer Center, Memorial Hospital Central (MHC) and at Memorial Hospital North (MHN), plus multiple clinic locations. The oncology service line is experiencing significant growth with close to 25,000 annual patient visits. Expansion to support this growth is ongoing, including a new $8M tower at MHN which will include an additional Linear Accelerator.

UCHealth Cancer Center -Memorial Hospital Central (MHC), provides the highest level of multidisciplinary comprehensive cancer treatment and is accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). Moreover, The Cancer Care and Hematology Clinic has earned official certification as a Quality Oncology Program from the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI). This prestigious recognition demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement and is one of only three programs in Colorado that has earned this certification. UCH Memorial’s oncology service line has been experiencing 10-15% year over year growth due to expansion of surgical specialties and population growth. UCH Memorial attracts talented oncologic specialists and staff, boasting top notch patient experience, employee engagement and quality scores. UCHealth’s unique partnership with the University of Colorado Cancer Center – the only Comprehensive Cancer Center in Colorado designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) gives patients the benefit of cutting-edge science and the expertise of an academic center close to home.

The Senior Director Oncology Service Line will provide strategic and operational leadership in the ambulatory and community setting ensuring the provision of cancer care through oversight of staff, programs, and services. This position reports to the VP Operations & Chief Administrative Officer, with a dotted line to the Regional COO and will work in partnership with the Medical Director Oncology. Direct reports to this position include three directors, five managers with a total of 145 FTE’s. Moreover, this role requires collaboration and leadership within a highly matrix model, which includes working closely with UCHealth leaders both locally and at system level, physicians, and staff, to assure continuous growth, coordination, and integration of oncology services.

We are seeking a dynamic, and innovative leader who leverages a broad-based knowledge of cancer care to guide one of UCHealth’s most integrated service lines. Key to success will be a track record of leading programmatic growth of oncology services that is comprehensive, coordinated and focused on providing compassionate and sensitive oncological care for patients facing the challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development of the Oncology Service Line strategic plan. Oversees the execution of the strategic plan, ensuring growth and operational objects are aligned with the mission, vision, and values of UCHealth.
• Supports and leads from a process improvement perspective, utilizing benchmarking data to continually achieve higher levels of excellence and cost effectiveness.
• Maintains staffing as volumes change and works to identify opportunities to modify systems and processes to further improve quality or reduce cost.
• Directs and oversees program development, performance management, personnel activities, budget, and the provision of services.
• Accountable for leading a culture of service focused on maximizing colleague engagement and retention rates. Utilizes tools and system resources to achieve top decile outcomes and directly engages colleagues as part of impact planning.
• Develops and empowers management teams to lead daily operations, resolve issues, manage employee performance, manage physician relations, ensure high quality patient care and service excellence, and ensure operational efficiencies.
• Builds community-based and internal physician and network relationships, ensuring optimal in-network retention. Identifies and articulates common goals and opportunities and develops programmatic plans to achieve them.
• Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of financial operations, including the ability to analyze costs (labor, supplies, and pharmaceuticals), reimbursement and exhibit the ability to transition to new models of care delivery. Directly accountable for assigned departmental operational budgets/ongoing forecasts, P&L, capital budgets and productivity.
• Ensures compliance of oncology clinical programs with state/federal and all regulatory and accreditation body guidelines and requirements.

 Requirements:

• Master’s degree in business, healthcare administration or related field.
• Five years of progressive management experience in oncology services within a complex, multisite health system.
• Preferred: clinical training/background in an academically affiliated organization.
• Fiscally savvy, willing to assume new responsibilities as requested, accept accountability, and operate effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrated excellence as a team player with proven ability to lead and work effectively in a team environment.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

 Highlights of Colorado Springs:

• One of the most breathtaking cities in the US, from majestic mountains to beautiful weather, COS is a gem of the city!
• In 2022, U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. Colorado Springs ranked #2 Best Places to Live.
• The city boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually with outstanding access to world class outdoor recreation year-round. Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls and Cave of the Winds.
• COS has a robust public education system and Colorado is a choice state which means you can “choice in” to any school regardless of your district or school assignment (depending on selection and lottery processes). This creates healthy competition among schools to provide special curricula like STEM or arts programs to attract students.

UCHealth offers a comprehensive benefit package. Benefits begin the first day of the month following the start date. Costs depend on the plans, employee status and the levels of coverage selected. In addition to other benefit choices, UCHealth offers a high deductible plan for $0 for full-time employees and families. Pension plan, fully funded by UCHealth, that is 100% vested after 5 years of employment. Annual performance bonus for all employees.

For additional information on this position please contact us.