President and Chief Executive Officer

President and Chief Executive Officer, The American Board of Surgery

Since 1937, the American Board of Surgery (ABS) has set the standard for excellence in surgical education, training, knowledge, and professionalism. The ABS offers certification in complex general surgical oncology, general surgery, pediatric surgery, trauma, burns and surgical critical care, and vascular surgery. 

The next ABS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be an exceptionally talented servant leader who will shepherd a highly respected and arguably the most influential voice in surgery and medicine. Working in concert with the Board of Directors, Council, and specialty boards, the President and CEO will help shape and execute the organization's strategic priorities, ensuring ABS remains responsive to an increasingly dynamic environment.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ABS President and CEO provides executive leadership for the ABS in alignment with the mission, strategy, and policies established to ensure the value of certification. The President and CEO serves as the key partner to the Board and oversees the Council, whose work ensures the rigor and relevance of ABS certification and Continuous Certification processes, impacting more than 40,000 active ABS diplomates, as well as surgeons in training, surgical training programs, the public, and a spectrum of other medical and surgical organizations. The President and CEO serves as the primary representative of the ABS and is responsible for sustaining healthy relationships with medical specialty boards, accrediting associations, related surgical societies, program directors, diplomates, and the full ecosystem of organizations involved in surgical education, licensure and certification, and a commitment to excellent patient outcomes.

Please download the full position description for more details.

Required Qualifications

• Active ABS certification
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in a complex healthcare, academic medicine, or medical professional organization
• Demonstrated track record of executive leadership with strategic planning and organizational management expertise
• Deep understanding of medical education, certification processes, and quality assessment in healthcare
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing complex organizational budgets
• Exceptional communication skills with experience in stakeholder engagement and public representation

Preferred Qualifications

• Active surgical practice experience
• Experience with medical specialty boards or ABMS member organizations
• Academic and/or other leadership experience at a major medical institution, association, non-profit organization or corporation
• Experience navigating healthcare policy and regulatory environments
• Track record of successful change management and organizational transformation
• Governance experience
• Experience working within a complex, matrixed organizational structure

Desired Leadership Attributes

• A visionary servant leader committed to the public good
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, both internally and externally
• Fosters an environment and culture of innovation and keeps the ABS at the forefront of the industry, and a best-in-class leader in assessment and credentialing
• Politically astute and able to navigate a complex governance structure (BOD, specialty boards, and Council)
• Experience in leading both remote and in-office staff and working with volunteer leaders
• Desire to make an impact and willingness to enact bold, mission-focused change
• Comfortable representing the ABS externally, and maintaining strong relationships with numerous external constituents
• Strong financial acumen
• Transparent, confident and credible, with the ability to garner the respect of staff and volunteers
• Diplomatic but able to make hard decisions
• High emotional intelligence

Application Process:

DSG Global has been exclusively retained to lead this confidential search. The ABS offices are headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. This is a hybrid workplace leadership opportunity. The ideal start timeframe is summer of 2027. Inquiries about the position and nominations can be directed to Abby Walsh at [email protected]

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter by clicking here: Application Portal