ABS Seeks New Vice President
May 20, 2021
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) seeks a visionary surgeon with strong leadership experience to serve as its next vice president (VP). The ABS is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 to improve and broaden opportunities for the education and training of surgeons, and to provide initial certification and continuous certification in general surgery and related specialties.
This position is a full-time, senior-level administrative post, reporting directly to the CEO. The VP will work closely with the ABS staff, Board of Directors, Council, Council Committees, Specialty Boards, and other stakeholders. The VP will serve as a stand-in for the CEO in significant roles in the surgical education community, and will collaborate with other partner societies and organizations as directed by the CEO.
The VP provides insight and thought leadership regarding the ABS in the surgical community, including its evolving role in surgical education both during training and after; its role across the surgical specialties; and regarding how the ABS can address the needs of program directors, faculty, trainees and diplomates. They will represent the ABS's interests by attending meetings at the ABMS, RRC, ACGME, or other societies and committees as requested or appointed by the CEO.
In addition, they will participate with the CEO and other executive leadership in general administrative functions of the ABS office, as well as work closely with the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer to advance representation of URIM across all levels of the organization and forward the goal of making the ABS an anti-racist institution.
The VP will oversee and manage new or evolving initiatives, which may require ad hoc task forces and working groups as requested by the CEO. They will maintain working relationships or primary oversight of specialty boards, council committees or other groups as necessary, as well as provide executive-level support for certifying examinations time to time as requested by the CEO, to include in any case a few times each year. They will develop programming for strategic or educational retreats as requested by CEO, and attend office meetings, including twice monthly executive staff meetings.
The ABS has recently undertaken a multi-year project to introduce and require a portfolio of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) as part of surgical training. Oversight and management of EPAs is a significant portion of the portfolio of the VP. The project is in the early phases, which involves extensive volunteer work across seven different committees and advisory councils. These committees will generate work product which will then be implemented and will require communication, education, and infrastructure.
The VP will provide oversight, management, direction and strategy for all EPA activities, including coordination and participation in all committees and working groups, volunteer recognition, communications with stakeholders, vendor and customer relationships, as well as business development and fiscal management.
They will serve as the primary liaison (assisted by the chief operating officer and chief information officer) between the EPA project and its vendors and affiliates, including negotiating contracts with affiliate groups. They will also manage the administrative function for EPAs, including but not limited to overseeing annual performance reviews of all ABS employees primarily involved with EPA work, as well as recruiting, hiring, and retaining such personnel. In consultation with COO and controller, the VP will draft an annual budget and oversee fiscal management of all EPA matters.
Candidates for this position must possess a medical degree or equivalent. Experience in senior leadership at a hospital, university, medical school, or other environment is expected, and national recognition as a leader in surgery, surgical education or assessment is highly desirable. Prior experience as a volunteer within the ABS is desirable but not required. The VP is encouraged but not required to remain clinically active to some degree.
The successful candidate will have skills in change management, plus abilities to listen and learn, attain consensus, and manage resistance without becoming resistant. They must have some experience in managing staff and helping them to do their best work and develop professionally, and must be able to share or give credit for work done. The VP must be able to represent the ABS across a wide variety of constituencies with grace and eloquence, and must be attentive to the workings of the organization to step into a variety of roles according to the needs of the organization.
The next VP will take over at an important moment for the ABS and American surgery. They will be expected to advance the ABS mission of providing leadership and promoting excellence in surgical education and surgical practice. The individual will also be expected to possess the operational and financial acumen to successfully oversee the functions assigned to them.
Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and a letter of interest outlining their accomplishments and qualifications for the position, with particular emphasis on their experience in education. Letters of interest will be accepted through end of day on June 18, 2021. Please send all communications to Tania Rosha.
Download this position description here: ABS Vice President Role
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their board certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities. The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
About the ABS
- The American Board of Surgery (ABS) is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their board certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities. The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
