Provincial Program Medical Lead - Surgery

Covenant Health invites applications to join our senior medical leadership team as Provincial Program Medical Lead, Surgery in a 0.4 FTE capacity. 

About the Role

Covenant Health is seeking a respected, experienced physician leader to serve as the Provincial Program Medical Lead (PPML) for Surgery. This senior medical leadership position plays a critical role in shaping clinical excellence, strengthening physician engagement, and supporting medical co‑leadership across the organization.

The PPML partners closely with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Senior Program Officers (SPO), Acute and Rural Facility Medical Leads, and other provincial partners to advance high-quality, patient-centered surgical care across Covenant. This role champions the integration of the Medical Staff into organizational strategy and ensures physicians’ voices are included in decision making.

Key Responsibilities

Medical Co‑Leadership & Strategic Alignment

• Build and maintain strong medical co-leadership relationships with the COO and Senior Program Officers within the Surgical Program.
• Foster physician participation in site and regional service planning.
• Ensure Covenant’s mission, vision, values, and strategic directions are embedded in medical decision-making.
• Represent the CMO when delegated, including attendance at organizational or provincial meetings.

Communication & Engagement

• Promote respectful, open, and transparent communication among Medical Staff, medical leaders, and operational partners.
• Ensure physicians have clear mechanisms for raising concerns and receiving timely feedback.
• Support coordination with other health service delivery organizations and provincial health authorities.

Medical Administration & Leadership Development

• Collaborate with the CMO to sustain an effective medical leadership structure.
• Provide clinical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to Medical Staff and Medical Leaders within the surgical portfolio.
• Lead recruitment, evaluation, and succession planning for Medical Leaders.
• Apply and uphold Medical Staff Bylaws.
• Support and lead participation in special committees and initiatives (e.g., Infection Control, Ethics, Research Ethics, Strategic Planning, Disaster Preparedness, Physician Recruitment).

Quality, Safety & Physician Experience

• Monitor and improve the quality of surgical clinical practice and patient outcomes.
• Advocate for evidence-informed, patient-centered care.
• Promote regular evaluations and quality-improvement activities.
• Advance physician experience and wellness by:
  • Enhancing leadership and engagement.
  • Promoting shared values of civility, integrity, respect, and reciprocity.
  • Supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Encouraging use of available wellness supports and reducing barriers to access.

Operational and Organizational Support

• Work with operational partners to support budget, volume, and quality target planning.
• Support teaching, research, accreditation activities, and quality improvement projects.
• Provide input to the Covenant Physician Workforce Plan.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
• Participate in Patient Concerns reviews when requested by the CMO or Deputy CMO.

Term, Time Commitment & Compensation

• Three-year term, with two subsequent one-year renewable terms.
• 0.4 FTE, including 0.2 FTE of predictable administrative time, with flexibility to manage unpredictable responsibilities.
• Compensation is provided through a contractual agreement.