/ College of Medicine
Tucson, Arizona
Director of the Arizona Arthritis Center and
Endowed Stevens Chair
POSITION SPECIFICATION
**DRAFT**
February, 2012
Prepared by:
Karen Otto
and
Brian Bloomfield
Witt / Kieffer

Contents

The Opportunity

The Role of Director, Arizona Arthritis Center

Opportunities, Challenges and Expectations for Leadership

Qualities and Qualifications

The Arizona Arthritis Center: An Overview

History of the Arizona Arthritis Center

AAC Faculty, Fellows, Staff and Boards

AAC Research

Training

Healthcare

Other Programs And Resources

Disability Assessment Research Clinic

Procedure for Candidacy

Appendix 1: The University of Arizona and Health Sciences Center

Arizona Health Sciences Center......

The University of Arizona Health Network

The University of Arizona Medical Center – University Campus

University Physicians Healthcare (UPH)

The University of Arizona Medical Center – South Campus

The University of Arizona Health Network Health Plans

The Tucson Community

University of Arizona College of MedicineDirector of the Arizona Arthritis Center

The Opportunity

The University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Director of the Arizona Arthritis Center (AAC), the Endowed Stevens Chair and, if qualified, the Section Chief of Rheumatology during an exciting period of expansion and change at the College’s Tucson and Phoenix campuses. This nationally recognized academic center of excellence, created through an NIH/MAC grant, has been at the forefront of advances in arthritis research and patient care since the 1970’s. While the impact and profile of Arizona Arthritis Center has lessened in the most recent years, the Center remains a vital force with great potential to build upon its legacy of cutting edge research, discovery and translation of biomedical science to real world clinical treatments and healthy outcomes. Today there is a revolution taking place in the research, discovery and treatment of rheumatic diseases, and given the Arthritis Center’s many assets and resources, this unique leadership position presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, entrepreneurial and visionary physician scientist to build a continued legacy of excellence for the Arizona Arthritis Center while working collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to forge new, ground-breaking directions in the research, educational and service mission of the enterprise.

Southern Arizona and Tucson are vibrant and growing communities, and the warm, dry climate has long been associated with relief of arthritis pain, as well as exploration of novel therapies and patient care, and as a result there exists an expansive and receptive patient population for the Center and its mission. Since its creation several decades ago, the AAC has received national recognition and widespread community support for its efforts in research, training and clinical service. The Center has been fortunate to have in place a strong and dynamic Advisory Board that not only helps sustain the Center’s programs through various philanthropic activities, but also enthusiastically engages the community in issues related to arthritis and associated conditions.

Based on the University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Center campus, the Arizona Arthritis Center is benefits from a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that extends across various colleges and departments, including engineering and the social sciences on the main campus. This culture and the Center are supported at the highest levels of leadership within the College and the Department of Medicine, which affords the Center great advantages to expand and build strategically. Because of the AAC’s close affiliation with the Section of Rheumatology, as well as the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatrics and Immunobiology, among others, there exists great opportunities to make strategic hires that leverage the University’s interdisciplinary expertise in the clinical practices and basic sciences. The AAC, housed on two floors in College of Medicine, occupies over 8,000 square feet of laboratory and office space and is equipped with various resources and assets explained in further detail below.

The Director of the Arizona Arthritis Center has responsibility for the overall strategic leadership, direction, and management of the Center. The Director will work in concert with the Dean of the College of Medicine, the Chair of the Department of Medicine, and other leaders across the Arizona Health Sciences Center and the University of Arizona campus to expand existing interdisciplinary research programs, both clinical and basic science. A major goal is to position the Center for significant growth as it responds to increasing academic, clinical and research demands throughout the State of Arizona.

The College of Medicine (COM) recognizes the value of diversity of people, thought, perspective and experience. As the sole allopathic medical college in the state of Arizona, the UA COM’s mission includes the provision of its services and resources to all Arizona residents. The College’s commitment to creating and supporting programs that enhance diversity of thought, background, ethnicity and perspective, and which attract a diverse faculty to serve diverse populations is evident in part through the following programs: the National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, the Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence, the Arizona Center on Aging, the Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs, the Native American Research and Training Center, and the award winning Telemedicine program. The College is seeking an individual who is able to work with diverse students, trainees and colleagues, and who has experience with a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives, to lead the Arthritis Center.

This leadership opportunity occurs at an important time for the University of Arizona College of Medicine due to the recent merger of the clinical enterprises affiliated with the College, University Physicians Healthcare (a faculty practice plan, hospital and health plan) with the University Medical Center (academic medical center) to create The University of Arizona Health Network. This merger creates additional opportunities for the Center to expand and integrate programs and services across two patient care campuses. The merger provides expanded inpatient and outpatient care as well as an opportunity for developing an increased clinical research reputation and further expanding the teaching mission of the Center.

The Arizona Health Sciences Center is located in the high desert community of Tucson, Arizona. Safe communities, excellent schools and abundant recreational opportunities exist within the diverse and culturally rich city. Tucson is Arizona’s second largest city with a growing metropolis of one million residents. The city provides a high quality of life, a very reasonable cost of living and covers nearly 500 square miles, with a landscape consisting of flowering desert, rolling hills, winding dry riverbeds, rugged canyons and pine-topped peaks. Tucson enjoys more sunshine than any other city in the United States, about 350 days each year. Tucson is roughly an hour and a half drive from Phoenix.

The Role of Director, Arizona Arthritis Center

The Arizona Arthritis Center Director is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, direction, and management of the Center. The Director will work in concert with the Dean of the College of Medicine, the Chair of the Department of Medicine, Section Chief of Rheumatology (unless the Director is appointed as Section Chief) and other leaders across the Arizona Health Sciences Center and the University of Arizona campus to expand existing interdisciplinary research programs, both clinical and basic science.

Opportunities, Challenges and Expectations for Leadership

The Arizona Arthritis Center is at an exciting period of transition where the next Director will have ample opportunities to build and expand the Center’s prominence and distinction. The AAC represents an important resource for the State of Arizona and its citizens, and as a national center of excellence remains a fundamental component of the University of Arizona. As such, the Dean of the College of Medicine and the Chairman of the Department of Medicine remain firmly committed to the Center’s continued growth and development.

This compelling leadership opportunity for the next Director to build upon the Center’s renowned distinction and achievements. There are three endowed chairs affiliated with the Center, and owing to Center’s close interactions with the Section of Rheumatology, as well as other subspecialties and basic science and engineering departments across the campuses, there are great opportunities to make strategic hires that leverage the University’s interdisciplinary expertise. Substantial laboratory space also exists for the new Director to create or relocate a developed research enterprise. The Center is located on two floors of the College of Medicine and occupies over 8,000 square feet consisting of office and laboratory space. There are also established resources, such as a C-Arm imaging machine, and administrative staff for financial and program management, IT infrastructure, and philanthropic development activities, all of which provide for a sound operational base.

With increasing research, training and clinical demands across Arizona, including those created by a second four-year College of Medicine campus in Phoenix, another goal of the Center will be to extend its presence and involvement across the state. The vision is to have demonstrated research, clinical and financial success by translating basic science discoveries into practical clinical therapies and consulting practices at various sites across the Southern Arizona. These endeavors will result in highly valuable clinical trials, research and outcomes studies, which not only provide additional revenue streams but also fit into the University’s overall goal of establishing membership in the NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Awards consortium.

The growing University of Arizona Science and Technology Park (UA Tech Park), the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) and the developing UA BioPark also provide entrepreneurial opportunities for scientists to transfer basic biomedical science and technology research from the laboratory to the marketplace. The UA Tech Park sits on 1,345 acres in Southeast Tucson, and is home to both Fortune 500 companies as well as emerging technology companies and provides incubator services for start ups.

The AAC Advisory Board remains highly engaged and committed to the Center’s success and has been deeply involved in development activities, community outreach and awareness surrounding arthritis research and treatment. Through the Advisory Board’s involvement, the Center’s present location and laboratory facilities were secured, and a number of endowment funds were established to support named chairs, research initiatives and educational programs. At present there are also a number of new multi-million dollar endowment gifts that are being established based upon certain contingencies of the donors. The Advisory Board includes a professional and enthusiastic development staff to support its efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Promote professional development among existing faculty, and attract and retain highly-motivated and well qualified faculty, staff and students to the Center.
  • Enhance and expand the research portfolio of the Center including the Director maintaining their own high-profile, extramurally funded research program.
  • Work closely with the Dean of the College of Medicine to develop research, education and service to promote the Center’s visibility on national and international levels.
  • Contribute actively to clinical care in rheumatology commensurate with other responsibilities of this position.
  • Collaborate with members of the Department of Medicine to contribute to the educational mission pertaining to rheumatology and related diseases in the College of Medicine and the Graduate College.
  • Serve as spokesperson and advocate for the Center in the University, the community and in the State of Arizona.
  • Oversee Center budgets, resources and fiscal management.
  • Assure implementation of University policies.
  • Work in closely with the Advisory Board, Scientific Advisory Board, Arizona Arthritis Center Friends and the Stevens Committee of the Arizona Arthritis Center.
  • Build philanthropic support and develop relationships with donors.

Qualities and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a visionary physician scientist with a strong track record of funded research in rheumatology, arthritis or associated musculoskeletal and tissue diseases. Administrative accomplishment within an academic unit is required, and an ability and desire to engage the community in Center development and philanthropic activities is highly desirable.

Other requisite qualifications include:

  • MD or equivalent medical degree.
  • Board certified in rheumatology and eligible for medical licensure in Arizona.
  • Demonstrated successful leadership including administrative experience and skills.
  • A sustained record of peer reviewed research funding.
  • Qualifications to fulfill the University of Arizona criteria for a tenured senior level faculty appointment.
  • A distinguished record as an academician, researcher and educator.
  • Proven background in faculty recruitment, mentoring and development.
  • National and preferably international recognition in the field of rheumatology as evidenced by involvement in academic societies at a national level.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with leaders of the medical school and the ArizonaHealthSciencesCenter.
  • A commitment to exemplary teaching, graduate education, interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Ability to build and lead teams, and to develop strong ties and connections with external constituencies and individuals.
  • Established expertise in working with diverse communities.
  • A people person with a sense of humor and willingness to help others succeed.

The Arizona Arthritis Center: An Overview

Dedicated to eradicating arthritis as a cause of human suffering through biomedical research, teaching and patient care, the Arizona Arthritis Center was one of the first to employ a multidisciplinary approach to combat arthritis and bone and connective tissue disease.

Research areas at the Arizona Arthritis Center include innovative surgical techniques, the use of new drugs, reduction of costs related to arthritis care, development of artificial joints and major new treatments in rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderrna, osteoarthritis, vascubitis and other related diseases.

The AAC is a stand alone research center serving the state of Arizona and physically housed at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson campus. It is the focal point and catalyst for clinical and basic research in rheumatology, immunology and autoimmune diseases. The AAC is the only institution in Arizona providing the following services to the community under one roof:

  • Research from bench to bedside in order to develop a better understanding of disease mechanisms and to exploit such knowledge to develop and test better therapies.
  • Education programs which cover a broad array of topics with the common goal of empowering the patients in managing their lifestyles and diseases.
  • Education of scientists and healthcare providers with the ultimate objective to contribute to state-of-the-art care for patients.

History of the Arizona Arthritis Center

1961 Southwest Clinic and Research Institute, originally part of the Holbrook-Hill Medical Group clinic, moves to the basement of the College of Agriculture building on the University of Arizona campus to do the first arthritis research at the UA. Community rheumatologists are active in the establishment of the UA College of Medicine and with the development of the Arizona Arthritis Center.

1968 Section of Clinical Immunology established at the UA College of Medicine, with John (Jack) Boyer, MD, serving as chair. Service to Native Americans begins with visits to health-care centers that provide rheumatology care and expands to include programs at tribal hospitals throughout Arizona and New Mexico as well as studies of this population.

1973 Orthopedic surgeon Robert Volz, MD, establishes a laboratory for the study of novel total joint replacements at the UA. (Dr. Volz designs the first artificial wrist in 1974, recognized by the American Hospital Association in 1976 as one of the nation's ten most important hospital advances.)

  • First board-certified rheumatologist and allergist recruited to the Section of Clinical Immunology.
  • Rheumatologist, Eric P. Gall, MD, establishes the rheumatology section at the Tucson VA Hospital. Dr. Jacob Pinnas recruited as an allergist with an interest in lupus.
  • The Southwestern Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, under the leadership of David Wayne Smith, DEd, DABPS, DACFE, and Gail Kershner Riggs, MA, CHES, receives an Arthritis Regional Medical Program (RMP) grant from the federal government.

1976 RMP staff and community rheumatologists begin planning for an Arthritis Center at the UA College of Medicine. Testimony is given to the National Arthritis Commission in Tucson in the first of several national hearings. In 1977, the National Arthritis Act is signed by President Gerald Ford. The UA applies for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Multipurpose Arthritis Center (MAC) grant, under the direction of Dr. Boyer, now chief of the Section of Rheumatology, and Gail Kershner Riggs, MA, CHES, director of education for the RMP.

1978 UA College of Medicine among the first 11 institutions in the country to receive an NIH MAC grant under the National Arthritis Act, laying the foundation for an Arizona Board of Regents Arthritis Center concept. Dr. Boyer serves as director of the Arizona MAC. Funding continues for nine years (three cycles). Accomplishments include multidisciplinary research models; self-help courses in English and Spanish for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus and fibromyalgia patients; and development of novel educational programs for health-care providers using "standardized patients" (patient instructors), lay people trained in physical exam and medical interview techniques who portray actual patient cases and provide feedback about providers' communications skills. The Arizona MAC becomes a national resource for multicultural, multidisciplinary activities.

1985 Arizona Board of Regents approves establishment of the Arizona Arthritis Center (AAC), with Eric Gall, MD, and Robert Volz, MD, as founding directors.