The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) seeks an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking physician to provide strategic leadership for an integrated health and well-being cluster committed to supporting a diverse student community. The Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Student Health and Well-being (AVC) will join UC Merced at a time of tremendous opportunity, advancing the University’s vision that prioritizes health and well-being as a foundation for lifelong success and purposefulness. UC Merced offers a caring and compassionate campus community and a talented team of practitioners dedicated to accessible, holistic, and student-centered health care.

The AVC must be an astute and savvy leader with excellent clinical acumen who can inspire staff, drive innovation, and provide campus-wide leadership on medical and public health issues. Equally important is having a holistic perspective regarding mental health, health promotion, prevention education, medical, and physical needs; superior communication and organizational skills; and the disposition to advocate effectively for students and engage effectively with other Student Affairs departments and programs, students, faculty, and the community of local health professionals. In collaboration with UCSF Fresno’s residency programs, the successful candidate will develop UC Merced’s SHS center as a Clinical Training Site for UCSF Fresno primary care residency and fellowship programs and will hold an adjunct faculty appointment with the UCSF Fresno Undergraduate Medical Education Program.


About UC Merced

UC Merced is in the Central Valley of California, offering a very affordable cost of living in a rapidly growing region of the state. Merced is a community dedicated to the agricultural priorities of the region, while supporting an emerging agricultural-tech industry and an expanding arts and culture scene. Its central location provides outstanding opportunities for outdoor excursions, (1.5 hours from Yosemite Park,) and easy access to main urban areas in California (2 hours to Sacramento or the Bay Area, 4 hours to Los Angeles).


Position Summary

Reporting to, and under the direction of, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Student Health and Well-being (AVC) provides leadership and strategic direction for the departments of Student Health Services (SHS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Health Promotions, and sexual violence prevention and advocacy (CARE). The AVC coordinates with unit leaders to provide general support regarding departmental operations, financial and capital management, and strategic activities. The AVC provides advice, guidance, and assistance to the Vice Chancellors and the Chancellor around public heath related decisions and represents the campus in campus-wide and system-wide meetings and discussions related to student mental and physical health. The position provides guidance on proposed policy changes and/or state legislation that impact student well-being and is recognized as an expert on student health related matters. The AVC participates in the Governance Body to make final decisions for Student Health Services (SHS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), sexual violence prevention and advocacy (CARE), and Health Promotions, as well as leadership in the areas of accreditation, strategic planning, compliance, budgeting, student success, and cultural diversity.


Key Responsibilities

Administrative and Strategic (40%)

  • Identifies opportunities for enhanced collaboration on campus and in the community. With the Vice Chancellor, provides leadership for advancing the division’s strategic initiative on student success. Provides strategic planning to meet the needs of the campus in alignment with the campus growth.
  • Responsible for supervision of management, professional, and technical positions, including but not limited to the Director of Health Promotions, the Director of CAPS, the Medical Director of SHS, and the Director of the CARE office.
  • Has responsibility for the operation and performance of all activities for each department. This includes comprehensive outpatient medical and mental health services, student health insurance, campus mental health outreach and consultation services, health education programs, campus public health, and health services for intercollegiate athletics.
  • Ensures operations are functioning smoothly through supervision of subordinates.
  • Determines the mission, goals and objectives of the Student Health, Counseling Services Health Promotions, and sexual violence prevention and advocacy. Oversees the broad areas of analysis, policy, business oversight and development of services unique to the student health and counseling departments.
  • Works with staff to determine and advance the mission, goals, and objectives of SHS, CAPS, Health Promotions, and CARE. Conducts strategic planning and long-range budget forecasting for these departments, plus regular oversight of budget operations.
  • Ensures Compliance with governing body, departmental, campus and accrediting body requirements and regulations. Reports to the Governing Body regularly on issues pertinent to these departments.
  • Ensures compliance of medical staff. Maintains ongoing quality management, risk management, UCSHIP executive oversight board member and approves changes in the departmental bylaws and policy and procedure. Oversees the quality and relevance of staff development programs for assigned medical and clinical staff members.

Clinical Care (15%)

  • In accordance with Standardized Procedures and consistent with community standards and UCM SHS policies and procedures, provides direct patient primary care.
  • Performs professional patient care medical services. Examines and diagnose patients. Prescribes and administers medical treatment.
  • Orders examinations, analysis, x-rays, physical therapy and prescription drugs. Performs minor surgical procedures.
  • Provides continuing care of patients, obtains appropriate consultations and arranges appropriate transfers.
  • Provides pre- and post-operative primary care of surgical cases.
  • Provides patient education to support self-care and health maintenance.
  • Advocates for preventive medicine and public health measures.
  • Reviews reports, records and the general progress of patient clinical care.
  • Maintains patient records and reports according to standards required by the State, University and SHS.
  • Prepares reports and related correspondence regarding patient care and condition.
  • Respects and guards the confidentiality of patients and staff in all aspects of clinical care, documentation, and correspondence.
  • Follows proper documentation guidelines.
  • Meets UC SHS credentialing and privileging standards.

Campus Leadership Responsibilities (40%)

  • Assist with the development of a campus occupational health strategy.
  • In collaboration with UCSF Fresno residency programs, develops UCM SHS center as a Clinical Training Site for UCSF Fresno primary care residency and fellowship programs, and obtains non-salaried faculty appointment with UCSF Fresno to allow appointment as an attending physician with established teaching authority to supervise on-site trainees providing clinical care.
  • Provide recommendations to the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor on student health related matters.
  • Serves as a liaison with the campus and community public health agencies and local health care providers.
  • Assist with campus coordination of health-related emergency response.
  • Serves on various campus and UCOP committees. Collaborates with other Student Affairs departments on initiatives.
  • Provide oversight and guidance related to athletics related to the athletic trainers.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to: (5%)

  • Conducts staff development programs, presiding at consultative or clinical conferences, implementing HR-related actions associated with hiring, development, and discipline of staff members according to campus policies and procedures.
  • Participates in the orientation of new employees.
  • Assists in identifying staff educational needs and issues in their practice. Preparing professional literature to share with other clinical providers and/or appropriate staff.


Required Qualifications and Experience

  • MD. or D.O. degree from an accredited medical school and a minimum of 5 years of directly related experience.
  • Board certification in primary care specialty, such as family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine or other related specialties.
  • Active and unrestricted licensure required and in possession of the legal requirements for eligibility to practice medicine in California as determined by the California Medical Board or the California or Board of Osteopathic Physicians.
  • Experience managing a large unit or multiple units, and at least 3 years of experience in clinical administration, including supervisory experience of professional staff and personnel management.
  • Experience effectively managing HR and fiscal resources.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to convey clinical information in accessible terms to a variety of audiences and to secure and/or provide information to clarify situations, resolve problems, and communicate policy decisions.
  • Experience as a systems thinker with a strategic mindset that aligns with the direction of an integrated student health and wellness service.
  • Experience working with a diverse population; demonstrated professionalism and cultural competence with awareness of and sensitivity to racial, cultural, religious, socio-economic, gender and sexual orientation diversity.


Application Process

UC Merced has partnered with Keeling & Associates, LLC for this search. Applications should include a resume/curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Application materials must be sent, preferably as PDFs, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com with the subject heading “UC Merced AVC”.  Candidates are encouraged to submit materials by August 26, 2022, to receive full consideration. The search will continue until an appointment is made.

Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to the K&A senior consultant leading this search, Dr. Lili Rodríguez, at lrodriguez@keelingassociates.com.

UC Merced is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action and compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to both.

Our policy is to provide employment, training, compensation and other conditions or opportunities associated with employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), pregnancy, age (over 40), genetic information (including family medical history), disability status, veteran status or any other basis protected by law.

UC Merced hires, assigns work, promotes, compensates, and retains employees only on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and our business needs.