Medical Director for Neonatology at UMH-Sparrow

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How to Apply

For inquiries, contact Karl Desch, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, at [email protected] or 734-763-4109.

Who We Are

The Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at the University of Michigan is recruiting a faculty neonatologist to join our team at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing, Michigan. We are seeking a Medical Director to lead a high-acuity Level III NICU. This role combines clinical excellence and local operational leadership with responsibility for aligning site-based practices with system standards and a Level IV referral center. The Medical Director will be accountable for clinical quality, team leadership, and local implementation of system initiatives, while fostering a collaborative, high-performing clinical environment during a period of ongoing change.

Clinical responsibilities include participation in a shared service and call schedule, including home call, with protected administrative time aligned with the Medical Director role. Optional clinical service opportunities may be available at the Level IV NICU at the affiliated academic medical center.

UMH Sparrow offers on-site clinics and inpatient care with nationally ranked specialty teams from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, one of the nation?s premier academic medical centers. This is a full-time clinical position that combines high-acuity community neonatology with the benefits of a University of Michigan faculty appointment.

Responsibilities*

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Provide clinical care in a 35-bed Level III NICU and a 12-bed Special Care Nursery
• NICU manages 700?800 admissions annually and delivers high-acuity care including:
• High-frequency ventilation (HFOV and HFJV)
• Inhaled nitric oxide
• Therapeutic hypothermia
• Advanced ventilatory support (e.g., NAVA)
• Care for complex neonatal patients, including extremely preterm infants and surgical/subspecialty cases

Lead delivery room resuscitations and advanced airway management

Leadership & Operations

• Provide on-site medical leadership for the NICU
• Lead and develop the physician and APP team, setting expectations for clinical excellence, professionalism, and accountability
• Foster a collaborative, high-functioning culture during ongoing organizational change
• Partner as a core member of the interprofessional NICU leadership team
• Support recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and retention of clinicians
• Lead local quality improvement and patient safety efforts and monitor performance metrics

System Integration

• Serve as the primary liaison between the NICU and the broader health system
• Align local clinical practices, guidelines, and workflows with system standards in collaboration with Michigan Medicine
• Support implementation of transfer, triage, and regional care pathways
• Partner with OB/MFM and referring providers to optimize perinatal care coordination

Academic & Educational Role

• Participate in academic conferences and QI initiatives with Michigan Medicine
• Serve as an educator and mentor for pediatric residents and NNP students

Required Qualifications*

Required Qualifications

• MD or DO with board certification in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

• Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in a Level III or IV NICU

• Demonstrated expertise in advanced neonatal care, including:

• FOV, HFJV, NAVA

• Neonatal transport

• Therapeutic hypothermia

• Experience caring for extremely preterm infants (22?23 weeks gestation)

• Proficiency in delivery room leadership and advanced resuscitation; NRP certification required (instructor preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to lead clinical teams and set expectations for performance and accountability

• Experience with quality improvement and patient safety initiatives

Academic Affiliation

Includes a faculty appointment at the University of Michigan, with rank based on experience. Participation in teaching, quality improvement, and statewide collaboration is expected.

Ideal Candidates

• Prior leadership experience (e.g., Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, or similar role)

• Experience working within an integrated or multi-site health system

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change and support team engagement during transition

• Experience in teaching and mentoring trainees in a clinical environment

• Familiarity with EPIC electronic medical record system

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

Note: This position is posted as Clinical Instructor/Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Associate Professor/Clinical Professor. Rank of selected candidate is dependent upon qualifications.

Background Screening

University of Michigan Health System conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.