Senior Associate Dean for Diversity

We seek an outstanding individual to serve as the Chief Diversity Officer for Saint Louis University School of Medicine (SLU SOM). This individual will report directly to the Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine (SOM) and have the full support of the Dean and leadership of Saint Louis University (SLU). This position is part time (approximately 0.6 FTE) and may be combined with another clinical, research, educational or administrative role. If the position is combined with a clinical role, the employer will be SSM Health as part of the SLUCare Physician Group. 

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will be responsible for guiding efforts and strategies to further design, define, assess, nurture, and cultivate diversity as an institutional, educational, and clinical resource. As a leader in SLU SOM, the CDO will intersect with all areas of the school and healthcare delivery network, including SSM Health, Saint Louis University, and the community we serve. 

This leader will manage and oversee SOM programs and services across the school’s education and research missions, help build a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff, create opportunities to engage in the exchange of diverse ideas inside and outside the classroom and provide programs and services that emphasize the importance of a diverse and inclusive campus environment. This leader will work collaboratively with the SSM DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and SLU DICE (Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement) leadership teams. 

This faculty position with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Saint Louis University School of Medicine is open to those who are able to successfully apply for and complete the hiring protocols of SSM Healthcare and the University. The clinical duties associated with this position will be performed as a member of the SLUCare Physician Group. If the position is combined with a clinical role, the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity will be wholly employed by SSM Healthcare. The leadership role is designated within and supported by Saint Louis University as a portion of that employment. 
 

Saint Louis University School of Medicine 

SLU SOM has a long tradition of excellence in medical, graduate medical education and graduate education. Established in 1836, the school has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River and is proud to be part of the 450-year tradition of Jesuit education. 

The mission of SLU SOM is to pursue education, research, clinical care, and improving the health of our community through professional development, collaboration, and social justice, grounded in our Jesuit values. 

SLU SOM trains physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research and provides health services. We embody cura personalis (“care for the individual person”). Our work goes beyond training physicians to be scholars of the human body. We graduate doctors who appreciate humanistic medicine, concern themselves with the sanctity of human life and commit to treating all patients with dignity and respect. In short, the medicine we practice is changing lives for the better.  

SLU SOM, SLUCare Physician Group, and SSM Health have partnered for decades to deliver exceptional care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, and, more recently, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.  

On July 1, 2022, SLUCare’s more than 600 faculty, along with other academic medical professionals and staff became the dedicated academic physician practice of SSM Health. Clinically, they collaborate with SSM Health’s over 600 community-based providers to deliver care at more than 50 physician office locations. This integration affords patients seamless access to all levels of care, including highly specialized procedures and clinical trials. The integration provides an investment in SLU SOM to expand medical education and clinical research.  The SOM oversees the academic activities of teaching and research along with academic rank and tenure. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics 

• Dynamic, innovative, visible, servant leader: one who can engage stakeholders at all levels, including SLU SOM faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners including SSM Health. 

• Ability to Cultivate a Common Vision: The CDO must be able to develop and cultivate a vision for diversity across SLU SOM in collaboration with SSM Health, and the university.   They should work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and other executives 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Analytical Skills and Data-Driven Focus: The CDO will understand how to use data and leverage analytics to drive strategic planning for effective and successful fulfillment of SLU SOM’s mission and core values. 

• Flexible, yet decisive style and politically savvy, the CDO will possess superb listening skills and the ability to navigate the political landscape, responding well to politically charged and/or sensitive situations. They must know how to build consensus, accrue buy-in, and work through competing interests.  

• Understanding of the Culture of Higher Education: the CDO must be prepared to work within the culture of shared governance, tenure and promotion, multiple and competing goals, and the unique needs of students, faculty, staff, and executives with respect to diversity. 

• Understanding of Organizational Change: the CDO should understand the elements and dynamics of changing an organizational culture, and the commitment to see the change through to completion. They must exhibit passion and patience, and lead the design, implementation, assessment, and evolution of key milestones over time. 

• Technical Mastery of Diversity Issues: the ideal CDO will have an excellent command of all aspects of diversity issues, including faculty recruitment and retention strategies, cultural competency in the curriculum, the impact of diversity on education, evaluation of the campus climate, and the policy and legal dynamics of affirmative action and diversity in higher education. The CDO must be comfortable leveraging social justice, educational benefits, and business case rationales for diversity. 

• Strong commitment to SLU SOM’s mission and Jesuit identity and values. The CDO will foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that welcomes all expressions of diversity and identity, including race, ethnicity, national origin, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, faith, and ideology. 

• Creative and innovative approach to program development, coupled with strong implementation skills. 

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of clinical, educational, and/or administrative experience, preferably in a large academic environment and with experience in successfully addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in a major health organization, institution of higher education or other complex organization.  

Graduate level preparation (MD, DO, JD, EdD, PhD) with experience in developing and implementing diversity programs and leading diversity activities is required. Possession of a doctoral degree is mandatory. 

Knowledge of Title IX, Title II, and other federal legislation concerning equity in education is important.  

Experience in a medical school setting is mandatory.  

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership 

• Manage and oversee SLU SOM Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

• Recruit and retain highly qualified faculty and staff to perform the functions of the office. 

• Lead efforts to grow and track SLU SOM -designated diversity categories for students, faculty, and staff.  

• Work collaboratively with the executive leadership, deans, department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and other key partners to build upon the established foundation and move SLU SOM forward to be a leading institution in DEI. 

Assess the Current Environment 

• Utilize campus surveys to assess the diversity climate.  

• Establish relationships within the University, SOM, and with SSM and the community to create constructive collaboration and efficient use of resources. 

• Become familiar with current pipeline programs and their effectiveness. 

• Integrate with the SOM established Diversity Councils to assess progress in the Dean’s strategic plan for DEI and compliance with LCME guidelines. 

Develop a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan 

• Develop and cultivate a collaborative vision for diversity on campus with stakeholders; administrators, faculty, students, the University and the SOM. 

• Create an implementation plan that includes collaboration with SSM, SOM departments and offices such as admissions, undergraduate and graduate medical education, human resources, compliance, faculty affairs, and student affairs. 

Align Goals/Monitor Performance 

• Establish and monitor metrics associated with each phase of the strategic plan. 

• Work with the SOM and SSM health leadership to develop a process to support academic advancement of diverse faculty. 

Collaboration 

• Partner with the Dean, Chairs, and other SOM and SSM leaders, ensuring the voice of diversity and inclusion is part of the discussion and decision regarding current operations and future initiatives. 

• Coordinate with University and SOM philanthropic activities to create additional funding for DEI programs and scholarships. 

• Join the dean and leaders in response to current events while clearly communicating the vision and mission to stakeholders. 

Community Engagement 

• Bridge the SOM with other organizations in the St. Louis community who are focused on the advancement of educational opportunity for diverse populations and minorities underrepresented in healthcare. 

• Represent SLU SOM, building coalitions that address environmental and social issues that impact the faculty, staff, and student populations.  

Applications must include: 1) a cover letter; 2) a resume/curriculum vitae 3) Personal Statement.  You can upload these items on the third page "My experience" of the application.