Vice President for Health Sciences Research

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Search for the Vice President for Health Sciences Research

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) seeks an ambitious, creative, and strategic leader to serve as the Vice President for Health Sciences Research (VPHSR). The Vice President will join the Health Sciences Center at an exciting inflection point in its trajectory and will work with leadership, researchers, and staff across OU’s campuses to accelerate growth in research and increase the impact the Health Sciences Center and the University have on Oklahoma and beyond. 

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a comprehensive academic health center with a rich history as the State's major educational resource for training physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, public health specialists, and a wide range of healthcare professionals. It is also instrumental in developing improved methods of health care delivery for Oklahoma. An internationally prominent faculty, state‐of‐the‐art facilities, and new technologies combine to make the OUHSC a leader in education, research, and patient care.

In recent years, NIH funding at OUHSC has been growing rapidly. With aspirations to be a top 50 Blue Ridge Institute-ranked institution, OUHSC has climbed from a rank of #130 ($46.2 m in NIH funding) in 2018 to #108 ($69.4 million in NIH funding) in 2020. In support of this goal, OUHSC recently allocated funds for two new Associate Vice President for Research positions—one for Animal Care and Use and one for Space and Infrastructure. The incoming VPHSR will have the opportunity to fill a third Associate Vice President position that is focused on the strategic plan.

In June 2021, the University of Oklahoma and University Hospitals Authority and Trust signed a historic agreement to merge their clinics and hospitals into Oklahoma’s first comprehensive academic health system – OU Health. The merger creates new, joint leadership, operational, and financial functions. As a result, OU Health will offer a seamless patient experience, improve care outcomes, and provide more access to the latest treatments found nowhere else in the state. The merger also brings the research and education missions of the enterprise into closer alignment with the care of patients. Enhanced collaborations between clinicians and researchers will transform patient care as they search for new answers to complex medical problems. In addition, the enterprise will reinvest clinical earnings into research and educational activities.

These developments and opportunities presented by the growing Innovation District in Oklahoma City, creation of a new Office of Innovation and Corporate Partnerships at OU and arrival of the new Chief Innovation and Corporate Officer and Executive Director of the office, partnership opportunities with OU’s Norman and Tulsa campuses, and clinical and translational opportunities to improve health outcomes across the state present an exciting environment for a research leader to make a real impact. To be successful, the incoming VPHSR will address the following key opportunities and challenges:

• Advance the research reputation and ranking of the academic health system
• Promote a positive experience for researchers through administrative services and support
• Promote interdisciplinary and team-based science
• Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding research faculty, staff, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students
• Collaborate with the OU Foundation and Presbyterian Health Foundation to increase funding support for research

Professional Requirements and Preferences

• An advanced degree is required with preference for MD/PhD, PhD, or MD degrees
• 5 years of progressive leadership responsibility at an academic health center or biomedical research institute is required, including experience administering large research programs
• Recognition as a scholar is required, with preference for achievements in research to obtain appointment as a full Professor
• Deep understanding of compliance and regulatory policies for research enterprises, especially Human Research Protection Programs and Research Integrity
• Service with national research organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), and scientific/research societies
• Promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Effective communication skills with internal and external constituencies
• Experience growing research in ways that support the clinical and educational missions of the academic health system and University
• Personal and professional integrity and ethical standards

OUHSC has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and will continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: www.imsearch.com/8140. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Julie Filizetti, Amy Segal, and Brett Barbour

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.