The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), a distinguished private academic health sciences institution committed to improving health through education, research, patient care, and community engagement, seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The President and CEO leads a $1.6 billion academic health enterprise. Across its main campus in Milwaukee as well as additional campuses in Green Bay and Central Wisconsin, MCW enrolls more than 1,677 students through the School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy, and the School of Graduate Studies. It employs more than 6,297 total faculty, staff, and graduate trainees, making it one of Wisconsin's largest private employers. Forbes magazine ranks MCW in the top 3% of all U.S. employers with 500 or more employees. MCW has a long-standing reputation for providing outstanding medical, pharmacy, and graduate education, conducting cutting-edge biomedical and population health research, providing innovative and compassionate patient care, and improving the health of the communities it serves. MCW sits on a stunning, park-like 240-acre Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus that includes MCW and its partners, Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, and Versiti Blood Research Institute. The consortium of health institutions, along with the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, four miles away, provides the latest research-based treatment options, cutting-edge clinical trials, and patient-centered, team-based care.
MCW's research excellence is nationally recognized, ranking in the top third of all U.S. medical schools in NIH funding and earning designation as a top 100 Research University by the National Science Foundation. This recognition reflects the institution's strategic focus on high-impact research areas, including cancer, cardiovascular sciences, neuroscience, injury research, imaging research, immunology research, genomics, and health equity research. In 2024, over $424 million was invested in research and training. MCW is in the top 40 for clinical trials, leading Wisconsin with over 1,260+ clinical trials and 5,000 research studies conducted in FY2024. The institution's commitment to research infrastructure is exemplified through many centers and institutes, including the Center for Cancer Discovery, the first and only research institute in eastern Wisconsin solely dedicated to cancer research.
The next President and CEO will bring a deep understanding of the complexity of academic health science centers and have the strategic agility to lead in an environment of evolving healthcare delivery models, shifting federal funding landscapes, and organizational transformation. The successful candidate will be a visionary, personable, and collaborative leader who can inspire internal and external stakeholders, optimize critical partnerships with clinical affiliates, and position MCW for continued excellence. With strong financials, a robust endowment, and deep community partnerships, the next President and CEO is uniquely positioned to help MCW enter its next era of impact and growth while navigating an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. An advanced degree is required, as is a distinguished record of executive leadership in academic health systems.
MCW has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website at this link. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
John Muckle, Partner
Jamie Sands, Partner
Katie White, Senior Associate
Lily Sethares, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
The Medical College of Wisconsin is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.
