Vice President, Medical Affairs

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: +1 (414) 6270312 or Email: brad.sharkey@sanfordhealth.org