Director of the UNM Burn Program at UNM, School of Medicine

The Department of Surgery at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine is seeking a full-time surgeon with training, experience, and expertise in Burn Surgery, to serve as Director of the UNM Burn Program. The successful candidate will lead the only adult and pediatric burn program in the state of New Mexico.

Candidates with training in either Plastic Surgery or General Surgery are encouraged to apply. A Fellowship in Burn Surgery is highly desirable. This is an open-rank, full-time 1.0 FTE academic faculty position.

The successful candidate must be able to direct the comprehensive management of major burn patients including acute resuscitation, intensive care, burn surgery, and have expertise in state-of-the-art management of complex burn injuries including the use of newer skin-coverage techniques. They should be familiar with reconstructive surgery techniques, including laser reconstruction. The selected candidate will collaborate with physical and occupational therapy to ensure we develop robust care pathways for rehabilitation, and with social work/ case management to facilitate successful community re-integration. The candidate will be committed to maintaining the highest standards of holistic burn management as demonstrated by meeting ABA quality criteria, as we work towards building an ABA-verified burn center.

The successful candidate will partner with our two existing burn surgeons, Dr. Eugene Wu in Plastic Surgery, and Dr. Sharmila Dissanaike, Past-President of the American Burn Association and Chair of the Department of Surgery, who is currently serving as Interim Burn Director. The core burn team includes several APPs and rotating residents from both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. The core team is further supported by members of the Division of Plastic Surgery who provide additional operative and weekend coverage, the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery that provides care in the acute resuscitative phase and after-hours coverage, the Center for Adult Critical Care that provides comprehensive 24/7/365 adult ICU coverage and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that provides 24/7/365 ICU coverage of children. Both ICUs have 24/7 in-house attending intensivist coverage.

As a full-time academic surgeon, the selected candidate is expected to lead burn education for medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty across specialties involved in the care of burn patients, including nurses, first-responders, and others involved in burn care. Participation in a telemedicine program currently in development to better serve the needs of the region is also expected.

An interest in advancing the science of burn surgery through basic, translational, clinical and/or outcomes research is highly desirable. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, lead a multidisciplinary team, and have a commitment to advancing the clinical, educational, and academic missions of the Department. There will be strong mentorship and sponsorship of the Burn Director in developing local, regional, national and international prominence as a leader in burn surgery.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Medical Doctor or equivalent

Completion of an ACGME- accredited residency in either Plastic Surgery or General Surgery

Board-certified/Board-eligible in Plastic Surgery or General Surgery

Eligible for New Mexico Board licensure

Eligible for New Mexico Pharmacy certification and federal DEA registration

Must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Fellowship in Burn Surgery

Fellowship in Surgical Critical Care and/or Fellowship in Acute Care Surgery

Board-certified/Board eligible in Surgical Critical Care

Fellow of the American Burn Association (FABA)

Experience as a primary burn surgeon at an ABA verified burn center

Interest and experience in burn research

Experience in burn reconstruction and complex wound management