Surgical Director, Abdominal Transplant Surgery

Kidney & Kidney–Pancreas Transplant Program
BayCare Health System | St. Joseph’s Hospital – Tampa, Florida

BayCare Health System is seeking an accomplished abdominal transplant surgeon to serve as Surgical Director of Abdominal Transplant Surgery for its developing kidney and kidney–pancreas transplant program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. In partnership with Northwestern Medicine, BayCare is launching a new solid organ transplant program, with kidney transplants anticipated to begin in 2027—offering a rare opportunity to shape a high‑quality transplant service from the ground up.

As Surgical Director, you will provide strategic and clinical leadership for the surgical transplant program while serving as the primary kidney and kidney–pancreas transplant surgeon, as defined by OPTN and UNOS requirements. This role is ideal for a surgeon who thrives in collaborative leadership, values quality and regulatory excellence, and is motivated to build a sustainable transplant program within a community‑based academic health system.

You will work in a close dyad partnership with transplant nephrology leadership and administrative leaders at both BayCare and Northwestern Medicine to ensure complete surgical coverage, regulatory compliance, quality outcomes, and long-term program sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the OPTN-designated Primary Surgeon for the kidney and kidney–pancreas transplant program, ensuring continuous, high-quality surgical coverage.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all surgical aspects of the transplant program, ensuring full compliance with OPTN policies, CMS Conditions of Participation, UNOS requirements, and hospital governance standards.
• Deliver comprehensive surgical care across the transplant continuum, including:
• Evaluation of transplant recipient and living donor candidates
• Donor and recipient operative management
• Peri‑operative decision-making and postoperative surgical follow‑up
• Related general surgical procedures as needed
• Partner with multidisciplinary teams to advance patient safety, surgical quality, and outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with nephrology, transplant coordinators, anesthesia, and hospital leadership to support program growth, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of clinical protocols, quality metrics, and readiness activities required for OPTN certification and ongoing compliance.
• Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and accountability within a growing academic transplant program.

• MD or DO with completion of an ACGME‑accredited residency in General Surgery or Urology.
• Board Certification in General Surgery or Urology.
• Completion of an ASTS‑accredited abdominal transplant surgery fellowship (or equivalent experience).
• ASTS Board Certification (or equivalent).
• Meets eligibility requirements to serve as OPTN Primary Surgeon for kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant program, including required case logs.
• Unrestricted Florida medical license, or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Demonstrated excellence in clinical judgment, quality assessment, and surgical outcomes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with providers, staff, patients, and families.

Benefits:

BayCare Medical Group offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to attract and retain top talent. As a valued member of our team, you can expect the following benefits:

• Competitive Base Salary
• Incentive Bonus
• Sign-On Bonus
• Retirement Plan plus employer match
• Paid Time Off
• CME Allowance
• Malpractice Insurance
• Insurance Coverage including Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance and Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Extras including College Savings Plans, Child Care, Auto & Pet Insurance, Wellness Centers, Product & Service Discounts and more

Join BayCare Medical Group and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that not only supports your professional growth but also enhances your overall well-being and quality of life. We value our team members and are committed to providing a rewarding and fulfilling work environment.

About BayCare:

BayCare continues to be a top destination to work, receive, and provide care — a commitment that’s reflected in our recent recognitions. Nationally, we were honored as a 2025 Top Workplace in the USA by USA Today and Energage. Locally, Tampa Bay Times and Energage named BayCare a Top Workplace for the 11^th consecutive year. This year, we’re especially proud to be recognized as the top health care system in the country and the highest-ranked Florida-based company at No. 17, and recognized for the fifth time by the prestigious PEOPLE® Companies That Care list, as well as an eight-time recipient of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Health Care™ award.

BayCare Health System is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, comprising a network of 16 hospitals and a wide range of services, including imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home health care, and urgent care. Our mission is to connect patients with a full spectrum of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services to meet their health care needs throughout their lifetime.