Division Chief of Epilepsy for UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA

Dr. Page B. Pennell as Chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC is seeking an exceptional Division Chief for Epilepsy to join and help lead our world class health system. Must have an MD or equivalent, board certified in Neurology and in Epilepsy and/or Clinical Neurophysiology, with the ability to obtain an unrestricted PA license. Prior experience demonstrating effective leadership of a clinical and/or research group is desired. Academic portfolio should be consistent with appointment as Associate Professor or Professor.

Opportunity Details

• Will oversee the epilepsy division within the department of adult neurology with 12 physicians, 3 APPs, and 6-8 fellows each year.
• Become part of our >100 person clinical and research faculty with expertise in all neurologic specialty areas.
• Dedicated clinical/administrative support.
• Excellent work/life balance.
• Collegial environment.

What we Offer

• Sign-on bonus and relocation.
• Competitive rank and base salary commensurate with experience and an outstanding benefit package
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine faculty appointment commensurate with experience

About the Leadership Position

• This position would be under the general direction of the Department Chair to lead all divisional clinical operations, scheduling, divisional QA activities, participating in departmental and Medical Staff committees, working with technical managers to resolve issues, and recruitment of faculty.
• Participate in the divisional and department budgetary planning, assist in the preparation of reports, maintain informative, up to date web site information for the division, and active participation in the annual performance evaluation process.
• Lead or foster research from the Epilepsy division.

About The Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Division at the University of Pittsburgh & UPMC

• The Division of Epilepsy within the Department of Neurology encompasses all services for adults with epilepsy and seizures. Together with Pediatric Epilepsy, the University of Pittsburgh Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (UPCEC) is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a level 4 epilepsy center.
  • The UPCEC provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services to adults and children with seizures.
  • The center is a joint program combining the resources of the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP).
  • Established in 1986, it provides regional referral and consultative services to Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and beyond.
  • Clinical services span outpatient clinics, EEG, EMU, and continuous video[1]EEG monitoring across the UPMC network. Subspecialty clinics include functional seizures, Neurostimulation (RNS/DBS/VNS), women’s epilepsy, and a multi-disciplinary clinic with neurosurgery for epilepsy surgery candidates.
  • A new 10-bed, self-contained adult EMU is slated to open in November 2024 with the latest technology and automatic SPECT injectors. Patients are also evaluated in the UPMC MEG Center, and with PET and functional MRI.
  • Research conducted at the Epilepsy Center has contributed to the introduction of multiple new antiseizure medications over the past decades, innovative approaches to presurgical evaluations and improving surgical outcomes for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, signal processing of intracranial EEG activity, and advancing the treatment of women with epilepsy during reproductive years.
• Other key areas of excellence in the Department of Neurology include the UPMC Stroke Institute; the UPMC Headache Center; Women’s Neurology program; the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC); the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND); the American Parkinson Disease Association Advanced Center for Parkinson’s Research; the Pittsburgh Institute for Multiple Sclerosis Care and Research.
• The Department of Neurology provides unparalleled educational experiences for medical students and residents, and has clinical fellowships in Epilepsy, Clinical Neurophysiology, Headache, Neuro-Oncology, Neuro-Critical Care, Women’s Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Neuro-endovascular, , and Movement Disorders.
• Research funding for clinical, basic, data science, and translational studies in the department has increased steadily and in FY22 the department received over $17 million in NIH grant support.
• The Department of Neurology was awarded the NINDS UE5 to support research training of residents and fellows, “Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuropathology Pittsburgh Research Education Plan (N3-PREP)” and is also part of the NINDS Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT).
• The University of Pittsburgh was ranked number 3 in 2022 and number 6 in 2023 in NIH medical research funding.

About the Community

• Pittsburgh is a is a vibrant, mid-sized city with the friendliness of a small town. Located in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, it offers the best of everything — an urban melting pot, historical landmarks, ethnic neighborhoods, a vibrant nightlife, picturesque countryside, and the famous three rivers.
• The city is renowned for its cultural institutions, including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the National Aviary, and a diverse cultural district.
• The city's major league professional sports teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Pittsburgh has a reputation as an advancing leader in medicine, education, health care, robotics, software engineering, and high-tech industries.
• The city is consistently ranked as one of the top places for families in the U.S. and one of the most affordable, livable, and safest U.S. cities.