Description
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) invites nominations and applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. This is a defining opportunity for a forward-thinking and strategic leader to shape the future of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at a critical moment for behavioral health. The next Chair will lead the Department’s clinical, educational, research, and community missions, foster an inclusive and high-performing culture, and advance strategic priorities across MCW and its health system partners. Building upon the foundation of an established and thriving academic department, the next Chair will advance innovative models of care, expand access to services, train the future behavioral health workforce, and drive meaningful impact on mental health and well-being across Wisconsin and beyond.
MCW is a leading academic health sciences institution advancing education, research, clinical care, and innovation across Wisconsin and beyond. With medical school campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin, along with a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Pharmacy, MCW anchors one of the nation’s premier academic health enterprises. As the largest private research center in Wisconsin, MCW reported more than $428 million invested in research, teaching, training, and related activities in fiscal year 2025 and supported more than 5,000 active research studies. Consistently ranked in the top third of U.S. medical schools for NIH funding and the nation’s third-largest private medical school, MCW drives scientific discovery, advances clinical excellence, and prepares the next generation of health leaders.
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is a leading academic psychiatry department dedicated to advancing mental health through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community engagement. Over the past decade, the Department has experienced remarkable growth and transformation, expanding from approximately 60 faculty members to more than 143 faculty members. The Department is also supported by 20 advanced practice providers, 88 non-clinical staff members, and 105 trainees.
The Department’s growing clinical enterprise spans inpatient, outpatient, emergency, consultation-liaison, and specialty settings through partnerships with Froedtert Health, Children’s Wisconsin, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and other healthcare and community organizations throughout Wisconsin. Faculty provide expertise in child and adolescent, addiction, geriatric, consultation-liaison, and forensic psychiatry, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders, integrated behavioral health, health psychology, and interventional psychiatry.
The Department’s educational mission includes one of the nation’s most comprehensive psychiatry training portfolios. This includes three ACGME-accredited Psychiatry Residency Programs serving Milwaukee, Northeastern Wisconsin, and Central Wisconsin; a combined Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Residency Program; and five ACGME-accredited psychiatry fellowships. The Department also supports health psychology training programs, advanced practice provider education and fellowship training, medical student education, and continuing medical education.
Beyond its clinical and educational programs, the Department leads statewide behavioral health innovation through initiatives such as the Wisconsin Child Psychiatry Consultation Program, which has delivered more than 15,000 consultations to pediatric primary care providers, and the development of WISCOPE, a statewide adult psychiatry consultation program.
The Department’s growing research enterprise provides a strong foundation for continued innovation and discovery. Faculty conduct basic, translational, clinical, and community-engaged research across a broad range of behavioral health priorities, including mood disorders, addiction, suicide prevention, neurodevelopmental disorders, integrated behavioral healthcare, health psychology, cancer survivorship, psychosocial determinants of health, and population mental health.
The successful candidate will be a nationally respected academic psychiatry and behavioral medicine leader with experience leading within a complex and community-driven organization. They will bring a record of clinical, scholarly, and administrative achievement; a collaborative and inclusive leadership style; and the ability to articulate and execute a compelling strategic vision. The Chair will be expected to develop faculty, foster innovation, build productive partnerships, and position the Department for sustained growth and impact. Additional information regarding the qualifications, experience, and personal attributes sought in the successful candidate can be found later in this document.
Review the Full Position Profile
The MCW Executive Faculty Search team is assisting with this critical recruitment. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted confidentially as outlined at the end of this document.
Procedure for Candidacy
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited and can be directed to facultyleadershiprecruitment@mcw.edu.
To receive full consideration, please submit your application materials by the priority deadline of November 16, 2026. A complete application includes a current curriculum vitae and a cover letter. Executive biographies are also welcome. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The cover letter can be addressed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Chad Carlson and Dr. Shelly Timmons and should describe the candidate's interest in the opportunity and highlight key leadership experiences, research interests, and/or accomplishments in education. Candidates are encouraged to address the following leadership competencies: Emotional Intelligence, Growth and Development Mindset, Collaboration and Relationship Building, Ability to Inspire Trust, Change Leadership, Effective Communication, Innovation, Results Orientation and Financial Stewardship. Candidates are not expected to address each competency in equal depth; however, the cover letter should provide evidence of strength across these areas in highlighting career accomplishments and experiences.
The MCW Executive Faculty Search team is assisting with this critical recruitment:
Amanda Steffens, CPRP, Principal, Executive Faculty Search asteffens@mcw.edu
Cedric Kuakumensah, Executive Faculty Search Associate ckuakumensah@mcw.edu
Kate Martin, Senior Executive Recruitment Coordinator kamartin@mcw.edu
Medical College of Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is the state's only private medical school and health sciences university, with campuses in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin. MCW includes a School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy. MCW is the third largest private medical school in the nation, ranks in the top third of U.S. medical schools in NIH funding, and is the second largest research institution in Wisconsin. Through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community engagement, MCW is committed to improving the health of the communities it serves.
More than 1,900 MCW physicians and approximately 1,800 advanced practice providers care for more than 520,000 patients annually, representing more than 5.2 million patient visits across Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and hospitals and clinics throughout eastern Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus brings together MCW, Froedtert Hospital, Children's Wisconsin, Versiti Blood Research Institute, and Curative Care Network in a collaborative academic health environment dedicated to excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research, and community service.
Commitment to MCW Values
At the Medical College of Wisconsin, our shared organizational values guide everything we do, from patient care and education to research and community engagement. We are committed to acting with Caring, fostering Collaboration, approaching challenges with Curiosity, advancing Inclusive practices, demonstrating Integrity, and treating everyone with Respect. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. By embracing these values, we strengthen our ability to improve health, advance discovery, and educate the next generation of health professionals. We seek leaders who exemplify these principles and are committed to advancing MCW's mission of improving the health of the communities we serve.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Situated along the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city, offering the energy and amenities of a major metropolitan area with a significantly lower cost of living than many peer markets. Home to a diverse economy, vibrant arts and cultural scene, professional sports, renowned restaurants, and year-round festivals, Milwaukee combines urban living with easy access to parks, rivers, trails, and waterfront recreation. The city has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top "Up-and-Coming" places to live and features one of the country's most walkable downtowns, with museums, restaurants, entertainment, and the lakefront all within easy reach. Milwaukee offers an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike, blending professional opportunity with a welcoming community and abundant recreational opportunities.
MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community, including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests, may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
