In the intricate world of health care and academia, understanding the hierarchy of leadership roles is crucial. When considering academic institutions and health services departments, a common role is that of a “Program Chair.” This role, while significant, sits within a broader leadership structure. So, the question arises: who is higher than a program chair in health care settings, particularly within a university environment?
To understand this, let’s delve into the organizational structure, using the example of a Department of Health Services within a School of Public Health. A Program Chair typically leads a specific academic program, such as a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program or a specialized concentration within health services. They are responsible for curriculum development, student affairs within their program, and ensuring the program’s quality and accreditation standards are met. They report to a higher authority within the department.
The next level of leadership, directly above a Program Chair in such a structure, is often the Department Chair. This is a more encompassing leadership position with broader responsibilities. A Department Chair oversees the entire academic department, which may house multiple programs, research centers, and faculty members.
Consider the recent appointment of Jeffrey R. Harris as Chair of the Department of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health. This appointment perfectly illustrates the role that is higher than a program chair.
Image: Portrait of Jeffrey R. Harris, illustrating leadership in health services.
As announced, Harris, previously a professor and Vice Chair, took on this role, succeeding the previous chair and reporting to the Dean of the School of Public Health, Howard Frumkin. Dean Frumkin’s statement highlights the scope of the Department Chair’s responsibilities:
“Jeff will bring a combination of passionate dedication to public health, extraordinary academic and managerial credentials, strong commitment to each and every program in the Health Services Department, an equally strong commitment to the Department’s external relationships and collaborations, and an inspiring vision for a strong, thriving Department going forward,”
This clearly indicates that the Department Chair is responsible for the overall vision, management, and external relations of the entire department – a scope far exceeding that of an individual program. Harris’s background further emphasizes the seniority of this role. His extensive 20-year career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including his role as the first AIDS Coordinator at USAID, and his contributions to the development of Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures, showcase the depth of experience expected at this leadership level.
Beyond the Department Chair, the hierarchy continues. In a School of Public Health, the Dean is the next level of leadership. The Dean is responsible for the entire school, encompassing multiple departments like Health Services, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and others. The Dean sets the overall strategic direction for the school, manages resources across departments, and represents the school within the university and to external stakeholders. Dean Frumkin, in the announcement, is Harris’s superior within this academic hierarchy.
Furthermore, within the broader university structure, roles such as Provost and President are higher than the Dean, overseeing all schools and departments within the university system.
Expanding beyond academia into health care delivery organizations, the equivalent of a Department Chair in a hospital setting might be a Medical Director or a Head of a Department (e.g., Head of Cardiology, Head of Oncology). These roles lead specific clinical departments within a hospital and report to higher administrative positions such as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or Hospital Administrator (often titled as CEO or President of the hospital). The CMO is responsible for the overall medical affairs of the hospital, while the Hospital Administrator/CEO has ultimate responsibility for the entire institution’s operations and strategic direction.
In larger health care systems, even higher roles exist, such as Regional Directors, Vice Presidents of Operations, and ultimately, the CEO of the Health System. These individuals oversee multiple hospitals, clinics, and health services across a geographical region or an entire organization.
Understanding this hierarchy is essential for anyone working in or interacting with the health care sector. From academic departments to hospitals and large health systems, clear leadership structures ensure effective management, strategic direction, and ultimately, the delivery of quality health services. Roles like the Department Chair, exemplified by Jeffrey R. Harris, are pivotal in bridging program-level activities with broader departmental and institutional goals, sitting firmly above the Program Chair in the leadership ladder.
