Leadership Message

The Department of Surgery has a long and rich tradition on the University of Iowa campus. It was one of eight academic departments when medical education at Iowa began in 1870, and the department chair—Washington Freeman Peck—also served as the first dean of our medical school. For over 150 years, the department’s faculty and staff have been leaders in providing high-quality surgical care and consultation; advancing the field through research and innovation; and educating and training future generations of skilled and compassionate surgeons. Many first-in-Iowa surgical procedures—in organ transplantation, robotics, and minimally invasive operations, for example—were performed by Department of Surgery faculty. Today, the department’s faculty and staff serve as a valuable resource for the state, nation, and world.

Denise Jamieson, portrait

Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH

University of Iowa Vice President for Medical Affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean, Carver College of Medicine

UI Health Care holds a unique position across the state and region as Iowans look to us to provide care and expertise for the most complex medical conditions. Our university campus includes our medical center, Stead Family Children's Hospital, and the NCI-designated Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our downtown campus, part of our health system since January 2024, serves southeast Iowa. Demand for our patient care services continues to grow. We have major capital projects in the planning or construction stages that will transform how and where we provide care, conduct research, and deliver education and training in the coming years. A new medical campus in North Liberty is scheduled for completion in 2025, and construction of a new inpatient tower on our university campus is slated to begin next year. Once completed, these new facilities, along with other renovation and expansion projects, will go a long way in helping meet the health care needs of Iowans.

Job Openings in Our Department

Faculty Jobs

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY BREAST SURGEON

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Department: Surgery

Salary: Commensurate

Advertising Ends On: Applications are being accepted for consideration; however, the position may be filled at any time.

University of Iowa Health Care invites applicants specializing in Breast Surgery for a faculty position in the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery. This position offers a unique opportunity for individuals pursuing an academic career in breast surgery. Appointment will be for Assistant or Associate Professor in either the non-tenure clinical-track or tenure track consistent with experience and research interest.


The selected candidate will be appointed to Iowa’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which houses the University of Iowa’s NAPBC-accredited breast center. They will join a high-volume, breast-only practice alongside three fellowship-trained surgeons, collaborating within a multidisciplinary breast oncology team in a collegial and supportive environment.


We seek candidates who are committed to academic excellence, research, and education. The successful applicant will have opportunities to engage in clinical research, translational science, and/or health services research, with access to robust institutional resources and mentorship to support their academic development. Candidates on the tenure track must have experience in research at a level that enables procurement of external funding.


This is an outstanding opportunity for early and mid-career academic surgeons to develop their career in breast surgical oncology with a leading academic medical center.  We welcome candidates with established or developing research programs who are eager to contribute to a dynamic and growing division.


Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.


 

Applicant Credentials are Subject to Verification
Background checks (criminal history, including self-disclosure of conviction history, and credential verification) will be conducted for finalist candidates. In addition, child/dependent adult sexual abuse background checks will be conducted for all positions in UI Hospitals and Clinics.


IOWA CITY, IA 52240

PEDIATRIC SURGEON

Friday, October 4, 2024

Department: Surgery

Salary: Commensurate

Advertising Ends On: Applications are being accepted for consideration; however, the position may be filled at any time.

The Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital is currently accepting applications for a pediatric surgeon to join their growing tertiary academic clinical practice.  The University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital is the region’s largest and most comprehensive Children’s Hospital, specializing in multidisciplinary care of complex newborn and pediatric conditions. 


Appointment can be at the Assistant or Associate level in either the tenure or clinical track depending on experience and qualifications.  Excellent opportunities for clinical and basic science research, including start-up funding and protected time, are available for interested individuals. Leadership opportunities in the areas of pediatric trauma, critical care, ECMO, quality improvement or program development may be available for the appropriate candidate. 


The University of Iowa’s status as a premier research university depends on the robust exchange of ideas. As we enhance the breadth and depth of our perspectives, we are better able to fulfill our mission to explore, discover, create, and engage. Thus, we are committed to supporting every Hawkeye’s pursuit of excellence. Our ability to foster an equitable and inclusive environment for all who join the UI family will determine our collective success. We eagerly accept this challenge. At the UI, we achieve excellence through fostering an inclusive culture. To learn more about the University of Iowa’s commitment to a welcoming and inclusive environment, visit diversity.uiowa.edu.


University of Iowa Health Care offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefits package. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse faculty and staff, which involves providing opportunities for employees to “Build a Career and Build a Life” in the Iowa City area. The university offers several benefits to support faculty in achieving a healthy work/life balance including domestic partner benefits, family caregiving leave, flexible spending accounts for dependent care and health care/adoption assistance benefits, and an automatic tenure clock extension when a minor child is added to the family. For more information about local work/life resources, including dual-career support, please see:  worklife.uiowa.edu.


The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.


Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.


 

Applicant Credentials are Subject to Verification
Background checks (criminal history, including self-disclosure of conviction history, and credential verification) will be conducted for finalist candidates. In addition, child/dependent adult sexual abuse background checks will be conducted for all positions in UI Hospitals and Clinics.


IOWA CITY, IA 52240

Staff Jobs

Physician Assistant - Dept of Surgery - Colorectal Surgery

Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Department: Surgery
The Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgery's Colorectal Surgery division functions as a full-time, independent healthcare provider responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients in the Colorectal Surgery clinic.

ARNP - Dept of Surgery - Colorectal Surgery

Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Department: Surgery
The ARNP in the Department of Surgery's Colorectal Surgery division functions as a full-time, independent healthcare provider responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients in the Colorectal Surgery clinic.

PA/ARNP Hospitalist - Dept of Surgery - Burn Treatment Center

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Department: Surgery
To function as an independent healthcare provider who, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health team, is responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients on the Burn Treatment Center.

Physician Assistant - Dept of Surgery - Vascular Surgery

Friday, March 21, 2025
Department: Surgery
The Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgery's Vascular Surgery division functions as a full-time, independent healthcare provider responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients in the Vascular Surgery clinic.

ARNP - Dept of Surgery - Vascular Surgery

Friday, March 21, 2025
Department: Surgery
The ARNP in the Department of Surgery's Vascular Surgery division functions as a full-time, independent healthcare provider responsible for providing comprehensive care to patients in the Vascular Surgery clinic.

We take pride in our work

See how our department separates itself from everyone else.

Department History

Learn more about our department through the years.

Our Milestones

See what highlights drive us to do what we do each day.