The University of North Carolina School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an innovative, collaborative leader to serve as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs in the Offices of Medical Student Education (OMSE).
This role was previously held by Dr. Catherine Coe. OMSE would like to wish Dr. Coe the best as she transitions to a new role as the Chair of Family Medicine at the University of California San Diego. She made substantial contributions to the redesign of our medical student curriculum as Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and CV no later than, January 3, 2026, to both Lisa Rahangdale, Chair of the Search Committee (lisa_rahangdale@med.unc.edu) and Jayne Ashby, Recruiting Consultant (jayne_ashby@med.unc.edu).
Position Description:
The Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum provides leadership for the clinical curriculum across all phases of the Medical Doctorate program. The Assistant Dean will work closely with the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Preclinical Curriculum, and the Senior Director for Curricular Affairs. This individual will also work collaboratively with the entire OMSE at UNC Chapel Hill, educational leaders, and team members at regional campuses. This position will be supported at 0.55 FTE by OMSE.
Major Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Oversee all clinical educational activities in the OMSE across the four-year medical curriculum including preparation for graduate medical education
- Ensure that the clinical curriculum and program evaluation is aligned with LCME accreditation standards as well as preparation of accreditation documents with attention to those standards that are specific to clinical areas
- Lead efforts in continuous quality improvement in the medical student curriculum, including curricular innovation, competency-based assessments, course evaluations and revisions, faculty development and evaluations, and participation and implementation of initiatives developed from the Medical Doctorate Education Committee
- Partner with Clinical Phase leaders and application and Individualization phase students to provide strategic direction, hear and address curricular concerns, and respond to acute issues
- Work collaboratively with staff and leadership in the OMSE
- Work collaboratively with leadership and educators across all regional campuses; continue to enhance relationships with Central Campus sites and regional campuses and build relationships with potential clinical partners for access to clerkship training
- Ensure opportunities for preceptor and educator development across all clinical sites and campuses
- Engage nationally to be up to date on innovations in curricula and educational pedagogy and enhance UNC’s national reputation through scholarly presentations and publications
Qualifications:
- A medical degree, MD/PhD, or PhD
- The chosen candidate must have the credentials to qualify for appointment to the faculty of one of the Departments of the UNC SOM
- Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in leadership with a focus on curriculum development and working with medical students
- Demonstrated commitment to advance a supportive work and learning culture where all individuals can thrive
- Effective communication and organizational skills
- Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act deliberately in sensitive situations with strong conflict management skills
- Commitment to evidence-based pedagogy and expertise in curriculum assessment and implementation
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop professional staff teams