Chief, Complex Digestive Health

Position Summary

The Chief, Digestive Health provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for a comprehensive digestive health program encompassing gastroenterology, hepatology, advanced endoscopy, motility, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal oncology, colorectal care, nutrition services, and related multidisciplinary specialties. This physician leader serves as the clinical and administrative champion for the digestive health enterprise, driving excellence in patient care, quality outcomes, physician engagement, program growth, and innovation.

Reporting within a dyad leadership structure, the Chief serves as a collaborative bridge-builder across inpatient and ambulatory settings, aligning physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, operational leaders, and support services in a unified vision for digestive health. The role combines strategic leadership, program development, and clinical practice responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for Digestive Health services.
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, market differentiation, and service line expansion.
• Foster collaboration across medical specialties, surgical disciplines, oncology, radiology, pathology, transplantation, and population health programs.
• Advance clinical integration across hospital and ambulatory environments.

Clinical Leadership

• Promote excellence across all gastroenterology and digestive health subspecialties.
• Establish and monitor quality, safety, patient experience, access, and operational performance metrics.
• Lead initiatives focused on evidence-based care, clinical standardization, and outcomes improvement.
• Champion multidisciplinary care models that improve coordination and patient outcomes.

Physician and Team Engagement

• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor physicians and advanced practice clinicians in leadership, professional development, and succession planning.
• Foster engagement across diverse stakeholders and facilitate consensus-building among teams.
• Recruit, retain, and develop top clinical talent.

Program Development

• Lead new programmatic initiatives and evaluate opportunities for service enhancement.
• Partner with operational leaders to improve patient access, throughput, and care coordination.
• Support integration of emerging technologies, clinical innovation, and digital health solutions.
• Ensure alignment of program objectives with organizational goals and community needs.

Academic and Research Advancement

• Support clinical research, quality improvement, and educational initiatives.
• Encourage participation in professional societies and national digestive health organizations.
• Foster a culture of innovation and scholarly activity where appropriate.

Financial and Operational Stewardship

• Collaborate in budget planning, resource allocation, and performance management.
• Monitor operational and financial metrics to ensure program sustainability.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop business plans and strategic investments.

Clinical Practice

• Maintain an active clinical practice within an area of gastroenterology expertise.
• Serve as a visible and respected clinical leader within the organization and community.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a growing Digestive Health program, build highly integrated multidisciplinary services, advance clinical excellence across the continuum of care, and lead a team dedicated to delivering exceptional outcomes for patients with complex digestive diseases.

The Chief will be empowered to drive innovation, strengthen physician engagement, expand access to specialty care, and establish the program as a regional destination for comprehensive digestive health services.

Required

• MD or DO degree from an accredited institution.
• Board Certification in Gastroenterology or a related digestive health specialty.
• Eligibility for unrestricted medical licensure.
• Minimum of 10 years of clinical practice experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressive physician leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience working within multidisciplinary care environments.
• Significant experience improving quality, access, patient outcomes, and physician engagement.

Preferred

• Prior experience leading a digestive health service line, division, section, or major program.
• Advanced leadership training or degree (MBA, MHA, MMM, CPE, or equivalent).
• Experience leading complex, matrixed healthcare organizations.
• Experience in program growth, physician recruitment, and strategic planning.
• Academic, research, or quality improvement leadership experience.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Visionary leadership and strategic thinking
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to influence across organizational boundaries
• Strong operational and business acumen
• Commitment to quality, safety, and patient-centered care
• Change management and organizational development expertise
• Ability to build consensus and navigate complex environments
• High emotional intelligence and professional integrity

Sutter West Bay Medical Group provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your professional growth, financial well-being, and work-life balance:

• Medical Coverage: Begins on day one, with multiple plan options starting as low as $0–$50 per month; includes coverage for domestic partners
• Dental & Vision: 100% employer-paid coverage
• Retirement: 8% employer-funded profit-sharing contribution up to IRS maximums—no employee contribution required
• Malpractice Insurance: Tail coverage included
• Continuing Medical Education: $6,000 annual CME allowance
• Relocation & Support: Relocation assistance and access to professional development resources
• Technology: Fully integrated EPIC EMR across both clinic and hospital settings
• Professional Development: Opportunities for teaching, research, innovation, mentorship, leadership, and community engagement 

Why Sutter Health and Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG)

Sutter Health offers a uniquely physician‑aligned environment, large enough to support innovation and investment, yet local enough to preserve the autonomy, relationships, and purpose that matter to clinicians.

SWBMG is a premier multi-specialty medical group made up of nearly 500 clinicians practicing in the greater San Francisco service area. SWBMG works in partnership with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (SPMF), a non-profit organization providing care through its affiliation with SWBMG. Physicians work as a team to provide patient-focused care that encourages a sense of teamwork. SPMF provides physicians with an administrative infrastructure, allowing physicians to focus on patient care.

Why This Matters for You

Joining Sutter means more than stepping into a role - it’s an opportunity to:

• Be part of a forward-thinking program shaping the future of care
• Practice in a system investing heavily in innovation, technology, and growth
• Contribute to expanding access to world-class neurological services in San Francisco
• Build your career within a modern, collaborative, and evolving care environment

Be Part of What’s Next

If you’re looking to combine meaningful clinical work with innovation and growth, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

Living in San Francisco 

San Francisco offers a unique combination of professional opportunity, intellectual energy, and quality of life for physicians drawn to innovation and impact.

As a global hub for healthcare innovation, life sciences, and research, the city attracts forward-thinking clinicians and collaborators shaping the future of medicine. Its strong academic environment and commitment to equity and access create a compelling setting for advancing healthcare.

Outside of work, San Francisco offers an exceptional lifestyle, with world-class dining, arts, and culture alongside easy access to Northern California’s natural beauty, from coastal trails to wine country. The region’s diverse communities support both personal fulfillment and professional growth.

It is the policy of Sutter Health and its partners to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin (including possession of a driver's license issued to individuals who did not present proof of authorized presence in the U.S.), age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic made unlawful by local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation. We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within each medical group, company, hospital, department, and service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of Sutter's employment policies and practices.