Medical Director

Northwestern Medicine is a growing, nationally recognized health system that provides world-class care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 locations in communities throughout Chicago, the suburbs and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we are pushing boundaries in our research labs, training the next generation of physicians and scientists, and pursuing excellence in patient care. 

We value building relationships with our patients and their families, listening to their unique needs while providing individualized primary, specialty and hospital-based care. Our recent affiliations and ongoing growth make it possible for us to serve more patients, closer to where they live and work. While each of our locations has a unique story, Northwestern Medicine is unified under one mission – Patients First.

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Primary Care Medical Director to join the Student Health Services at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Located approximately 10 miles north of Downtown Chicago, the student health team provides comprehensive primary services to students enrolled in degree-seeking programs at Northwestern University (NU) so that they may thrive academically, physically & emotionally.

Qualified candidates must be board-certified/board-eligible in a primary care specialty (Internal Medicine, family medicine, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics) and possess proficiency in management of conditions affecting a college-age population such as mental health concerns, sexual health and gender affirming care, musculoskeletal medicine and travel health. Experience with clinical supervision, quality assurance programming, college health & administrative oversight are important qualifications for a successful Medical Director.

The overall primary responsibility of the Medical Director is to ensure quality medical care at Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services.

Position Overview and Scope

The NMG Student Health Medical Director actively supports the mission and initiatives of NMG by leading and exemplifying a physician-driven, patient-oriented, high quality, efficient health care delivery system that focuses on safety, quality and service. The Medical Director promotes excellence in all areas of ambulatory operations and serves as the champion of related process improvement efforts. With members of the Practice’s management team, the Medical Director is responsible for the following:

• Promotion and assurance of quality clinical care across the Student Health Service
• Provision of strategic direction for NM Student Health Service.
• Administration and management of day-to-day practice operations in partnership with Practice Manager
• Serving as the clinical leader and mentor to the Student Health Center clinical staff as well as the primary liaison between the Health Center and partners at Northwestern University.
• Maintaining ongoing close collaboration with NU partners including University Counseling Center, and the Center for Student Wellbeing, as well as with Student Affairs, Housing and Residential Experience and the Athletics Department.

The Medical Director reports to the NM Vice President of Operations and works closely with the NM Student Health Service’s Director of Operations, Director of Sports Medicine/Head Team Physician, Practice Manager, and other administrative leaders in order to ensure that safe, high quality, and patient centered care is provided in an efficient and service-oriented manner.  The Medical Director also ensures that all operations of the Practice are consistent with relevant organizational, professional, and regulatory policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Clinical Care, Quality, Safety and Compliance

• Oversee all ambulatory care delivery systems in the Practice, ensuring that all quality and safety issues are consistent with organizational, professional, and regulatory guidelines.
• Monitor and ensure physician and staff compliance with NMG policies and procedures, standards of care, service standards, and other related protocols.
• Initiate, maintain and promote a collaborative model of care.  Identify problems and issues related to the efficient delivery of patient services and recommend potential solutions.
• Review and address medically oriented patient complaints. Oversee systems to ensure that adverse clinical events are appropriately disclosed in a timely manner.
• Serve as a liaison with regard to all quality assurance and clinical quality initiatives and processes. Lead such efforts and implementation of solutions as appropriate.
• Define educational and training needs for all staff and ensure that appropriate programs or support exists for providing these, particularly as new protocols and/or technologies are introduced.

Administration and Operations

• Create and maintain a harmonious and effective work unit, one that fosters communication, teamwork, cooperation, flexibility, respect, and diversity.
• Serve as the primary physician liaison and representative of the Practice by participating on departmental and NMG committee and interacting with other physician leaders and management to communicate and manage Practice issues.
• Collaborate with departmental and institutional leadership to identify and develop strategic initiatives. Facilitate the implementation of approved plans.
• Oversee adherence to policies, procedures, Practice standards, scheduling and staffing issues.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between the Practice and other Practices, Divisions and Departments.
• Manage individual physician issues related to the Practice. Serve as a resource for physicians to discuss clinical issues, standards of care, utilization, outcomes, etc.
• Ensure appropriate and effective collaboration between physicians, other clinical and non-clinical staff in the Practice in order to support an optimal patient care and service experience for all patients.

Physician Compensation Plan

• Work with NMG and departmental leadership regarding implementation of the approved physician compensation plan and serve as a liaison between NMG and physicians regarding plan mechanics and proposed improvements to the plan.

Achievement of Annual NMG Goals

• Support annual NMG goals, including those related to patient engagement (LTR), staff engagement, physician engagement, new patient access, productivity.
• Communicate goals to physicians, providers, and staff.  Ensure that all team members understand the importance of achieving goals.
• Lead by example and ensure that all Practice physicians and staff embrace new initiatives and strategies.

Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services provides a broad range of medical services including Primary Care, Acute/Walk-In Care, allergy shots, eating disorders care, Sports Medicine, LGBTQ+ Healthcare, sexual and reproductive Health, limited travel health, immunizations, and behavioral health care, including anxiety, depression & some ADHD.

To learn more about the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services at Northwestern University, click the link - NM Student Health Service,

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.