Cerebral Palsy Institute Chair

Gillette Children's is seeking a physician for the role of Cerebral Palsy Institute Chair. The Cerebral Palsy Institute exists to define the leading edge of care for cerebral palsy. The Institute is grounded in a forward-looking commitment to proactively shape care delivery, rather than react to disease progression.

The Cerebral Palsy Institute Chair FTE accounts for 0.15 FTE of the physician's total FTE. The remainder of the FTE would be dedicated to clinical care and general administrative time. 

Purpose of position:

The Chair of Gillette Children’s Cerebral Palsy Institute serves as a strategic, system-level leader who integrates research, clinical care, education, and advocacy to advance the Cerebral Palsy Institute’s global vision for individuals with cerebral palsy. This role provides overarching leadership for the Institute, ensuring that clinical programs, research initiatives, education, and advocacy efforts are coordinated and aligned with Gillette Children’s organizational strategy and priorities.

Working through influence rather than direct line authority, the Chair partners closely with service and section leaders, research leaders, and key administrative stakeholders to shape priorities, drive alignment, and achieve Institute goals. The Chair brings deep expertise in cerebral palsy care and uses this knowledge to connect specialists across disciplines, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation.

Success in this role requires the ability to navigate complex and competing interests within the organization, across healthcare systems, with external advocacy organizations, and among local, state, and federal agencies. The Chair acts as a visible leader and trusted collaborator who advances the Institute’s mission through strategic vision, relationship-building, and consensus-driven leadership.

Compensation and Benefits Information:

The annual salary range for this opportunity is dependent on several factors including relevant work experience and internal equity. Salary is just one component of the compensation package for employees. Gillette supports career progression and offers a competitive benefits package, including a retirement saving match, tuition and certification reimbursement, paid time off, and health and wellness benefits for .5 FTE and above.

Core Responsibilities and Duties: 

Strategy and Integration

• Lead the development and execution of an integrated, multiyear Cerebral Palsy (CP) Institute strategy that unifies clinical care, research, education, and advocacy.
• Translate the Institute’s vision into clear “Now, Near, and Far” strategic plans with defined priorities, outcomes, and timelines linked to clinical care, research, education, and advocacy.
• Partner with medical directors, section chiefs, research leaders, and administrative executives to design and implement programs, workflows, and policies that advance Institute goals, and specific goals for each strategic plan with dyad leadership assignments.
• Establish and lead Institute governance structures (e.g., CMO, COO partnership, committees of the institute) to drive accountability and progress toward strategic objectives.
• Operationalize strategy via dyadic relationship with Director of Clinical Transformation.

Performance, Outcomes & Learning Health System

• Serve as a catalyst for a Learning Health System by defining Institute level metrics, outcomes, and success measures for CP care.
• Use clinical, research, operational, and experience data to evaluate impact, identify gaps, and recommend strategic course corrections.
• Provide regular, structured updates to executive leadership, including routine progress reviews through Executive Strategy Sessions (ESS).

Leadership Through Influence & Alignment

• Influence priorities and alignment across clinical services, research portfolios, and enterprise functions without direct line authority.
• Maintain line of sight into operational issues that affect Institute goals while respecting existing operational and dyad leadership accountability.
• Build shared ownership and collaboration across disciplines to accelerate innovation, reduce unnecessary interventions, and improve quality of life and outcomes for children with CP.

External Partnerships, Advocacy & Influence

• Serve as a primary external representative and thought leader for the Institute, extending Gillette’s influence through national and global platforms, professional societies, and collaboratives.
• Strengthen relationships with advocacy organizations, healthcare systems, and governmental agencies to shape policy, standards of care, and systemwide impact for children with cerebral palsy.
• Partner with the Foundation and executive leadership to define a philanthropy and partnership strategy that sustains and scales the Institute’s strategic priorities.
• Direct the deployment of philanthropic, grant, and partnership resources to maximize impact and alignment with Institute goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the EVP/CMO, COO, and CEO on CP Institute direction, external positioning, and long-range planning.
• Participate in Executive Strategy Sessions (ESS) to ensure enterprise level alignment with the Institute’s vision and priorities.

Research, Education & Knowledge Dissemination

• Champion research acceleration and translation by aligning clinical priorities with research strategy and funding opportunities.
• Shape a cohesive internal and external education strategy that positions Gillette as a premier training destination and global knowledge hub for CP care.
• Promote dissemination of evidence, best practices, and standardized approaches that can impact children with CP well beyond Gillette’s walls.

Qualifications:

Required

• Licensed physician (MD or DO) in the State of Minnesota with Board Certification in an appropriate specialty (Neurology, PM&R, Orthopedic Surgery, Complex Care, etc.).
• Experience providing specialty care supporting children and young adults with cerebral palsy.
• Academic credentials based on research and publication equivalent to or above associate professor level.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience with implementing evidence-based practice and process improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a hospital setting

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuously advancing cerebral palsy care.
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills
• Knowledge of evidence-based professionally recognized standards of practice for cerebral palsy care
• Knowledge of outpatient and inpatient cerebral palsy care, and their connection to quality and patient safety
• Creates trusting relationships and collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and influence others
• Demonstrated track record in the areas of innovation, education and research, evidenced by peer reviewed publications, presentations at national and international conferences, research activities, and academic appointments.
• Demonstrated skills in developing effective work processes and performance improvement

At Gillette Children’s, we foster a culture where every team member feels a sense of belonging and purpose. We are dedicated to building an environment where all feel welcomed, respected, and supported. Our values are embedded at the heart of our culture. We act first from love, embrace the bigger picture, and work side-by-side with our patients, families, and colleagues to help every child create their own story. Together, we work to ensure patients of all backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential.

Gillette Children's is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of an individual's race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or gender identity, military status or any other class protected by federal, state or local laws.

Gillette Children’s is a global beacon of care for patients with brain, bone and movement conditions that start in childhood. Our research, treatment and supportive technologies enable every child to lead a full life defined by their dreams, not their diagnoses.

To learn more about working at Gillette Children's, please visit https://www.gillettechildrens.org/careers.

Gillette Children's participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify program which is an internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Gillette will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before Gillette takes any further action. Please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ for further details regarding e-verify.