Chief, Spine Division

Duke Chief, Spine Division and the System Medical Director of Spine Services

Duke Health seeks an accomplished academic spine surgeon to serve as Chief of the Spine Division and the System Medical Director, Spine Services and, an integrated program bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery to create a national model for comprehensive spine care. Reporting jointly to the Chairs of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery and operating within a structure that includes close partnership with Duke Health leadership, the Chief will lead the clinical, academic, research, and operational missions of the Division while serving as the System Medical Director for Spine in the new Neuroscience & Spine Service Line. This physician executive will provide leadership across Duke's integrated spine service line, bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health leaders to advance a unified vision for spine care delivery, innovation, and growth.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead one of the nation's most distinctive academic spine enterprises. The Chief will develop and implement a strategic vision for the Division, unify faculty across departments, strengthen patient access and quality, align clinical and financial performance, and expand Duke's national leadership in spine research and innovation. The position will serve as a key connector between Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health leadership, helping advance a coordinated spine strategy across the health system. The Division includes approximately 34 clinicians, including 15 surgeons and 11 advanced practice providers, and supports more than 46,000 annual patient visits and 4,000 surgical procedures.

Key responsibilities include leading divisional strategy and operations; overseeing clinical growth, quality, and financial performance; advancing research and academic programs; mentoring faculty; supporting residency and fellowship education; and fostering a collaborative culture across surgical and non-operative spine disciplines, including PM&R, pain management, rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and related specialties. The Chief will play a central role in creating an integrated "one-stop" spine program that delivers exceptional patient-centered care while advancing innovation and discovery. This leader will oversee efforts that span orthopaedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary spine services, while advancing integration across the broader musculoskeletal and neuroscience service lines. The Chief will be responsible for developing a shared vision and operating model that strengthens collaboration across departments while supporting Duke Health's long-term strategic priorities.

Candidates must be board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery, eligible for North Carolina licensure, and qualified for appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level. The successful candidate will possess a distinguished record of academic achievement, demonstrated success as a physician leader, strong business and operational acumen, and the ability to build consensus and lead effectively within a complex matrixed academic health system.

Opportunity Highlights

• Provide strategic leadership across Duke's spine platform, bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary partners to advance a unified model of patient care, research, and education.
• Lead a nationally recognized spine enterprise that aligns Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, and Duke Health around a unified vision for spine care.
• Serve as the primary physician leader responsible for advancing Duke's vision for an integrated spine program across clinical, academic, research, and operational domains.
• Reporting jointly to the Chairs of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery while partnering closely with Duke Health leadership to advance access, quality, growth, and operational alignment.
• Physician leader for the spine component of the broader Neuroscience & Spine service line.
• Strategic oversight of spine services across orthopaedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and multidisciplinary spine care.
• Up to 30% of time to lead strategy, operations, academic development, and culture.
• Clinical focus is flexible across spine subspecialties; emphasis is on leadership, integration, and outcomes.
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of spine services across one of the nation's leading academic health systems through collaboration with departmental and health system leaders.
• Lead a multidisciplinary "one-stop" model spanning surgical and nonoperative care, including physiatry, pain management, rehabilitation, and additional specialty support.
• Scope includes approximately 34 clinicians, including 15 surgeons, and 11 advanced practice providers, plus a broad non-operative clinical provider team.
• High-volume platform with an estimated 46,000 billed visits and 4,000 surgical cases annually.
• First 1218 months priorities include building trust, aligning compensation models, strengthening quality metrics, and standardizing patient access across departments.
• Research is a core pillar: expand programs in outcomes, safety, and clinical innovation through mentorship and strategic investment.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or equivalent degree.
• Board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery.
• Eligible for medical licensure in North Carolina.
• Qualified for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
• Established record and national reputation for academic achievement and scholarly contribution.
• Demonstrated success leading within complex, matrixed health care organizations.
• Strong business, operational, and culture-building leadership capabilities.
• Ability to build consensus and foster collaboration across departments and health system stakeholders.

Community Information: Durham, North Carolina

Durham sits in the Research Triangle, where academic medicine, life sciences, and technology intersectoffering a strong platform for professional impact and a lifestyle that balances energy with access to the outdoors. Niche rates Durham highly for diversity and overall livability, and AreaVibes assigns Durham an "Exceptional" livability score driven by strong amenities and commute factors.

• Research Triangle momentum: Duke and regional partners anchor a dense innovation ecosystem across health care, biotech, and tech.
• Livability signals: Durham scores 81 on AreaVibes livability, with A+ marks in amenities and commute.
• Easy national access: Raleigh-Durham International Airport projected 15.5 million passengers in 2025 and continues to add nonstop options.