Sentara Health is seeking an innovative and academically accomplished System Medical Director to lead and expand its nationally recognized Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant (AHFT) Program. This high-impact leadership position offers the opportunity to shape the future of heart failure care across a 12-hospital integrated system, headquartered at Sentara Heart Hospital on the campus of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

About the Program:

Established in 1989, our renowned Heart Transplant Program is rooted in a legacy of excellence in nationally recognized cardiac surgery and renal transplant medicine. We deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care across the entire continuum—from advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock management to mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and heart transplantation.

Since the launch of our program, we’ve performed 580 life-changing cardiac transplants—each one a reflection of our team’s expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Our 1-year survival rates consistently surpass national benchmarks and currently lead the state of Virginia—a powerful testament to the skill, innovation, and dedication that define our care.

Built on a strong foundation, powered by cutting-edge technology, and driven by a collaborative culture, our program continues to set the standard for heart transplant care—across the region and beyond.

Our program includes:

  • Over 12,000 patient visits annually

  • 7 transplant cardiologists and 6 VAD/transplant surgeons

  • Dedicated cardiogenic shock team and robust durable LVAD program

  • A state-of-the-art Hybrid Cardiac Operating Suite, the first of its kind in the region

  • Five cardiac Cath labs, five cardiac ORs, a hybrid OR, and four EP labs

  • Cardiology fellowship program beginning July 2026

  • A Cardiac Advanced Imaging Center offering Cardiac CT and MRI, PET/CT

  • Strong clinical trial infrastructure and growing national research presence

A System Built for Innovation:

Sentara Health is a top-tier integrated health system serving over 1 million covered lives across Virginia and northeastern North Carolina through its own health plan. Our comprehensive 12-hospital network allows for harmonized care delivery and expansion of academic and clinical services across the region.

Sentara’s competitive edge lies in:

  • Limited competition in the Coastal Virginia market for comprehensive advanced cardiac services

  • A fully integrated EPIC EHR across the enterprise

  • The Sentara Research Institute, enabling cutting-edge data-driven research with rich analytics capabilities

  • A collaborative academic ecosystem, strengthened by the recent merger of Sentara Health, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), and Old Dominion University (ODU) — bringing opportunity for academic growth, program development, and clinical innovation

With the recent recruitment of Dr. Raymond L. Benza—The Linda H. and George M. Kaufman Academic Chair of Cardiology at the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Program, and an internationally renowned leader in heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, Sentara is actively expanding its academic footprint.

We are actively expanding and formalizing our fellowship programs, strengthening academic infrastructure, and deepening research collaborations with EVMS and ODU.

To support this next phase of strategic growth, we are seeking an innovative, high energy and academically accomplished candidate at the mid-associate to early professor level to lead and markedly expand both academic and clinical metrics of this program.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and grow a comprehensive, system-wide AHFT program

  • Centralize and harmonize heart failure care within 12 hospitals and satellite networks

  • Mentor junior faculty and support fellowship education

  • Drive clinical trial performance and academic output

  • Collaborate with transplant, cardiothoracic surgery, and MCS teams to enhance outcomes

  • Advance Sentara’s national reputation in heart failure, transplantation, cardiogenic shock, and temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support

Qualifications:

  • Active, current practice in all aspects of Advanced Heart Failure, Transplant Cardiology and Durable Mechanical Support for at least 5 years, including training

  • M.D. or D.O. board certified in Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology

  • Licensed to practice in Virginia

  • Qualify for designation by UNOS as Primary Physician

  • Minimum 5 years of leadership experience, strong clinical, technical and research skills (clinical trial), and a collaborative approach to patient care

Position Highlights:

  • Named Top 50 Heart Hospital by U.S. News & World Report

  • Professorship and leadership titles available based on experience

  • Dedicated administrative and research time

  • Research startup packages through EVMS/ODU for funded investigators

  • Comprehensive support staff and ancillary services

  • Expansion of system-wide clinical trial operations

Benefits:

  • Flexible RVU structure to ensure adequate administrative and research time

  • Highly competitive salary

  • Academic appointments through EVMS and ODU

  • Research packages through EVMS and ODU possible for candidates with extramural funding

  • Sign-on and commencement bonuses

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, disability and more

  • Exceptional retirement plan with matching contribution

  • Generous PTO and CME allowance

  • Full coverage for malpractice and tail

  • Fully integrated EHR (EPIC)

Living in Coastal Virginia:

Located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, the Norfolk area offers an exceptional lifestyle for physicians and their families. Enjoy waterfront living, a vibrant downtown, and access to top-rated public and private schools. The region is known for its cultural richness, family-friendly communities, and endless outdoor recreation—from boating and beaches to hiking and biking trails. With proximity to Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, and Washington, D.C., you’ll have quick access to both weekend escapes and metropolitan amenities. Add in a low cost of living, mild climate, and high quality of life, and it's easy to see why Coastal Virginia is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S.

Interested Candidates:

Please submit your CV or direct inquiries to:

Lindsay Fanney
Senior Physician Recruiter Specialist
Sentara Health
Email: llruther@sentara.com

Sentara Health, an integrated, not-for-profit health care delivery system, celebrates more than 135 years in pursuit of its mission – “we improve health every day.” Sentara is one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, with 34,000 employees, 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina including 10 hospitals with the prestigious Magnet® recognition, and the Sentara Health Plans division which serves more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida. Sentara is recognized nationally for clinical quality and safety, and is strategically focused on innovation and creating an extraordinary health care experience for our patients and members. Sentara was named a Health Quality Innovator of the Year (2024), was recognized by Forbes as “America’s Best-In-State Employer” (2024), “Best Employer for Veterans” (2022, 2023), and “Best Employer for Women” (2020), and named to IBM Watson Health’s “Top 15 Health Systems” (2021, 2018).

Learn more

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A woman smiling as a healthcare worker helps her with arm exercises in a bright, sunlit room.
A woman smiling as a healthcare worker helps her with arm exercises in a bright, sunlit room.

Our Culture

At Sentara, our differences are our strengths. The unique backgrounds, skills, and experiences that each Sentara colleague brings to work make Sentara special and allow us to deliver excellent service and care to our patients, members, and communities.

Our Benefits

We are committed to consistently enhancing our training, advancement tracks, work-life benefits, and more. Our goal is to make you feel more excited to be here every day!

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Two female doctors in lab coats smiling and chatting in a hospital hallway.
Two female doctors in lab coats smiling and chatting in a hospital hallway.
Two nurses in scrubs smiling and chatting during a break, one holding a coffee cup in a bright hospital setting.
Two nurses in scrubs smiling and chatting during a break, one holding a coffee cup in a bright hospital setting.

The Sentara Nursing Experience

Making a meaningful impact on health requires compassion, dedication, continuous learning, teamwork and collaboration. At Sentara, we also recognize that in valuing the professional and personal well-being of our nurses, we build a stronger, more supportive workplace for our nurses. And that’s making us healthier from the inside out. These principles unite our nurses across various roles and locations.

Two nurses in scrubs smiling and chatting during a break, one holding a coffee cup in a bright hospital setting.
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The Sentara Clinical Experience

No matter where you choose to join us, in an inpatient or outpatient setting, you will be part of an interdisciplinary Clinical team passionate about quality care and patient safety. You will have access to the tools and technologies you need to succeed and the chance to learn and grow through training and educational programs so you can advance your career as a Clinical professional.

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The Sentara Support Services Experience

Each day, the Sentara Support Services team helps improve healthcare at more than 300 Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina sites. We perform various patient care activities, provide multiple services, and handle administrative functions that support our patients and their families. These vital functions include assisting the medical team in all aspects of medical care, such as treatments, procedures, and diagnostic and laboratory testing.

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The Medical Group Experience

As part of Sentara Health, Sentara Medical Group providers have diverse opportunities across regions and inpatient and outpatient locations. For those providers based in one of 12 hospitals, we have close working relationships with the administration, ensuring a collegial and collaborative environment where all can come together around shared initiatives.

Guided by a dedicated board of providers, Sentara Medical Group not only offers leadership opportunities for its providers but also underscores the group’s crucial role in fulfilling Sentara’s overarching mission to meet the needs of our diverse patient populations, some of our most vulnerable communities. Our physicians and APPs enjoy opportunities for both personal and professional career growth through a network of resources aimed to cultivate an environment suitable for a lifelong career home.

Your Perspective Matters

Nurses are the heartbeat of our exceptional team. Our approach empowers nurses to actively participate in decision-making. Our nurses have a stake in shaping their workplace as well as their own career growth; one of the benefits of our focus on supporting and valuing team members. This framework encompasses our nursing mission, vision, values, philosophy, and the essential elements of our Professional Practice Model.

This image illustrates the Sentara Nursing Professional Practice Model. Read more about it on The Sentara Nurse Experience page.

Visual representation of the Sentara Nursing Professional Practice Model.

Our Award-Winning Care

Forbes 2024 America's Best-In-State Employers. Powered by Statista
Forbes 2023 The Best Employers for Veterans. Powered by Statista.
Virginia Values Veterans. Official V3 Certified Company
America's Greatest Workplaces for Women 2025. Newsweek. Plant-A Insights Group
2024 Health Quality Innovator of the Year
2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer. Human Rights Campaign. Healthcare Equality Index.
Magnet Recognized. American Nurses Credentialing Center.

We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Sentara Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the hiring, advancement, and fair treatment of every individual. Sentara and its affiliates do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristics.

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We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Sentara Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the hiring, advancement, and fair treatment of every individual. Sentara and its affiliates do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristics.

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