Chief, Orthopedic Surgery, Spine

Job Description & Requirements
Chief, Orthopedic Surgery, Spine
StartDate: ASAP Pay Rate: $724000.00 - $900000.00

Duke University School of Medicine

Duke Health seeks an accomplished academic spine surgeon to serve as Chief of the Spine Division, an integrated program bringing together Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery to create a national model for comprehensive spine care. Reporting jointly to the Chairs of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, the Chief will lead the clinical, academic, research, and operational missions of the Division while serving as the System Medical Director for Spine in the new Neuroscience & Spine Service Line.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead one of the nation's most distinctive academic spine enterprises. The Chief will develop and implement a strategic vision for the Division, unify faculty across departments, strengthen patient access and quality, align clinical and financial performance, and expand Duke's national leadership in spine research and innovation. The Division includes approximately 34 providers, including 15 surgeons and 11 advanced practice providers, and supports more than 46,000 annual patient visits and 4,000 surgical procedures.

Key responsibilities include leading divisional strategy and operations; overseeing clinical growth, quality, and financial performance; advancing research and academic programs; mentoring faculty; supporting residency and fellowship education; and fostering a collaborative culture across surgical and non-operative spine disciplines, including PM&R, pain management, rehabilitation, and related specialties. The Chief will play a central role in creating an integrated "one-stop" spine program that delivers exceptional patient-centered care while advancing innovation and discovery.

Candidates must be board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery, eligible for North Carolina licensure, and qualified for appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level. The successful candidate will possess a distinguished record of academic achievement, demonstrated success as a physician leader, strong business and operational acumen, and the ability to build consensus and lead effectively within a complex matrixed academic health system.

Opportunity Highlights

• Newly created joint Spine Division integrating Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, supported by the health system.
• Physician leader for the spine component of the broader Neuroscience & Spine service line.
• Dual reporting to department chairs with matrixed reporting across health system leadership.
• Up to 30% administrative/protected time to lead strategy, operations, and culture.
• Clinical focus is flexible across spine subspecialties; emphasis is on leadership, integration, and outcomes.
• Lead a multidisciplinary "one-stop" model spanning surgical and nonoperative care, including physiatry, pain management, rehabilitation, and additional specialty support.
• Scope includes approximately 34 providers, including 15 surgeons and 11 advanced practice providers, plus a broad care team.
• High-volume platform with an estimated 46,000 billed visits and 4,000 surgical cases annually.
• First 12-18 months priorities include building trust, aligning compensation models, strengthening quality metrics, and standardizing patient access across departments.
• Research is a core pillar: expand programs in outcomes, safety, and clinical innovation through mentorship and strategic investment. Doctor of medicine (or equivalent), board-certified in Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery, and eligible for North Carolina licensure.
• Eligible for Associate or Full Professor appointment; strong academic track record and national reputation preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading in complex, matrixed environments, with business, operational, and culture-building capability.

Community Information: Durham, North Carolina

Durham sits in the Research Triangle, where academic medicine, life sciences, and technology intersect-offering a strong platform for professional impact and a lifestyle that balances energy with access to the outdoors. Niche rates Durham highly for diversity and overall livability, and AreaVibes assigns Durham an "Exceptional" livability score driven by strong amenities and commute factors.

• Research Triangle momentum: Duke and regional partners anchor a dense innovation ecosystem across health care, biotech, and tech.
• Livability signals: Durham scores 81 on AreaVibes livability, with A+ marks in amenities and commute.
• Easy national access: Raleigh-Durham International Airport projected 15.5 million passengers in 2025 and continues to add nonstop options.

Facility Location
Home to Duke University and Research Triangle Park, Durham offers a wide variety of cultural and outdoor activities, a reasonable cost of living and highly prestigious medical facilities. Southern, yet cosmopolitan, laid back yet bursting with energy, this North Carolina city is a sought-after destination throughout the year.

Job Benefits


About the Company
At AMN Healthcare, we strive to be recognized as the most trusted, innovative, and influential force in helping healthcare organizations provide quality patient care that continually evolves to make healthcare more human, more effective, and more achievable.

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AMN Healthcare is a digitally enabled workforce solutions partner focused on solving the biggest challenges affecting healthcare organizations today. We offer a single-partner approach to optimize labor sources, increase operating margins, and provide technologies to expand the reach of care.