Founding Dean – Southern California School of Medicine (SCSM) at InsideHigherEd

Founding Dean – Southern California School of Medicine (SCSM)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Institution Type: New, Independent Allopathic Medical School (Start-Up)

Start Date:
Part-time involvement beginning Q1 2026 (tentative; full-time start negotiable), transitioning to full-time, on-site executive leadership by mid-2027 (tentative), in preparation for LCME preliminary accreditation and student recruitment.

Please note: This is an on-site position. Continued candidacy for the full-time role is contingent upon a willingness to relocate to the Los Angeles area in accordance with the school’s development timeline.

Target Milestones (Tentative):
• AMCAS Application Cycle Opens: May 2028
• First Class Matriculation: August 2029

Employment Type:
Full-time, executive leadership (following a potential initial part-time strategic phase)

Commitment: 5–7 years preferred

About the School
The Southern California School of Medicine (SCSM), located in Los Angeles, California, is an independent allopathic institution with a bold, mission-driven vision. Founded by a practicing surgeon with deep roots in clinical leadership and innovation, the school aims to educate future physicians with a surgical mindset and precision—regardless of specialty.

Our curriculum will fully align with LCME and WASC accreditation standards, but the ethos will be distinct: small, handpicked cohorts; one-on-one mentorship; and an emphasis on developing doers, not just thinkers.

With strong clinical affiliations in the South Bay region and a leadership team committed to hands-on support, SCSM seeks a dynamic Founding Dean to bring this transformative vision to life.

School Philosophy
SCSM is grounded in a unique and focused educational philosophy: to instill in every student the mindset of a surgeon—not necessarily to become one, but to think and act like one, drawing on the best aspects of surgical training to benefit all fields of medicine.

The “surgical mentality” we aim to cultivate includes:

• Decisiveness: Training students to assess, decide, and act efficiently and effectively—especially under pressure
• Accountability: Owning outcomes and continually striving for excellence
• Grit and Resilience: Building mental toughness and adaptability in high-stakes environments
• Procedural Competence: Introducing hands-on, clinically immersive experiences early in training
• Team Orientation: Developing leadership and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams
• Operational Thinking: Teaching systems-based approaches to care delivery, patient flow, and logistics   

In addition, we believe that modern physician leaders must be equipped with:

• Artificial Intelligence Literacy: The proper and responsible integration of AI into medical learning, diagnostics, and clinical decision-making
  Business Acumen: Early exposure to the economics, policy, and operational dynamics of healthcare delivery
  Cognitive and Performance Optimization: Training in high-level mental performance—including focus, situational awareness, multitasking, and rapid decision-making—modeled after elite aviation and military programs

Our mission is not to steer every student into surgery, but to graduate physicians who are self-directed, systems-literate, and confident in navigating complexity—leaders in any specialty they choose to pursue.

Position Summary
The Founding Dean will serve as the Chief Academic Officer of the Southern California School of Medicine. In this two-phase role, the Dean will begin as a part-time strategic leader in Q1 2026 (tentative; full-time start negotiable), working in collaboration with external consultants and the founding team. Early responsibilities will include hiring key academic leaders (e.g., Deans of Curriculum, Student Affairs, Faculty Affairs, and Accreditation), driving philanthropic efforts, building strategic partnerships with clinical affiliates, overseeing accreditation planning, and guiding institutional setup.

The Dean will transition into a full-time, on-site executive leadership role by mid-2027 (tentative) as the school prepares for LCME preliminary accreditation and student recruitment. Candidates must be prepared to relocate to Los Angeles in accordance with this timeline as a condition of full-time employment.

The ideal candidate is visionary, grounded in academic rigor, and aligned with a philosophy that blends precision-based clinical training with innovation in business, technology, and leadership education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the school through the LCME, BPPE, and WASC processes—from initial application through full approval—in collaboration with external consultants
• Oversee and implement a fully compliant MD curriculum with emphasis on procedural skill, leadership, and cognitive and performance optimization
• Guide the integration of artificial intelligence into the educational and clinical training environments
• Oversee the development of coursework in healthcare business, systems, and innovation
• Take a leading role in establishing and managing clinical partnerships across Southern California
• Recruit founding faculty, academic leadership, and administrative staff
• Lead the development of high-performance training modules inspired by elite aviation and military environments
• Foster a culture of mentorship, resilience, inclusion, and academic excellence
• Represent the institution to accrediting bodies, academic communities, clinical partners, and donors
• Lead fundraising efforts in collaboration with institutional leadership and philanthropic advisors
• Oversee institutional operations, including budgeting, facilities planning, compliance, and long-term growth strategy

Minimum (Required) Qualifications

• MD degree with eligibility for licensure in California
• Academic rank of Associate or Full Professor at an LCME-accredited institution
• At least 7–10 years of progressive academic leadership experience (e.g., Chair, Associate Dean, etc.)
• Deep understanding of curriculum development, academic operations, and student evaluation
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in surgery or a procedural specialty
• Demonstrated success in launching or leading new academic programs or institutions
• Expertise in artificial intelligence, medical informatics, or business of medicine education
• Experience developing simulation-based or high-stakes decision-making curricula
• Strong track record in forming clinical partnerships and securing institutional funding
• Prior experience with LCME accreditation or founding a new U.S. medical school

Compensation and Support

• Starting salary: Commensurate with experience; pro-rated during part-time phase
• Performance-based bonuses (e.g., LCME approval, successful matriculation)
• Full benefits upon full-time hire: health, retirement, relocation assistance
• Dedicated administrative, operational, and legal support provided by the founder and consultants

​​​​​​​How to Apply

Please submit the following to [email protected]:

• A letter of interest highlighting your qualifications and alignment with the school’s mission
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for three professional references (letters not required at this stage)

Priority Deadline: October 31, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All inquiries will remain confidential.

SCSM is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic community. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.