Hospitalist Medical Director - Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital

Houston Methodist Sugar Land is seeking a dynamic and experienced physician leader to serve as the Medical Director of the Hospitalist Program. This individual will be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and clinical leadership of the hospitalist team, with a focus on advancing quality of care, operational efficiency, and cross-departmental collaboration. The successful candidate will bring a strong commitment to patient-centered care, data-driven improvement, and physician engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical Leadership & Quality Improvement
• Lead initiatives to improve clinical performance metrics, with a strong focus on advancing Vizient quality rankings and outcomes.
• Monitor and enhance Hospitalist performance related to length of stay, readmission rates, patient satisfaction, and throughput.
• Promote and support evidence-based care and best practices.
• Operational Oversight
• Collaborate with the Program Manager, Chief Medical Officer, and other administrative leaders to optimize hospitalist workflows.
• Oversee daily operations of the Hospital Medicine team, including schedules, coverage models, and call expectations.
• Develop backup plans for call-ins and census surges to ensure continuous coverage.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration
• Build and strengthen relationships with Emergency Medicine physicians, Case Managers, Nursing Leadership, and Specialty Consultants.
• Serve as a liaison between the Hospitalist team and ED to streamline admissions and avoid inappropriate or unnecessary hospitalizations.
• Partner closely with Case Management and Utilization Review to ensure optimal discharge planning and resource use.
• Team Development
• Foster a positive team culture that supports accountability, communication, and physician well-being.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and performance evaluation of hospitalist team members.
• Lead regular team meetings and quality huddles.
• Strategic Planning & Communication
• Develop and present a clear vision and operational plan for the Hospitalist service during the interview process.
• Engage in hospital committees and represent the Hospitalist team in service line, quality, and administrative forums.
• Contribute to long-term strategic growth, including innovations in care models and hospital medicine best practices.

Qualifications:

• MD or DO from an accredited medical school; board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine.
• Texas medical license or eligibility to obtain one.
• Minimum 5 years of clinical experience as a hospitalist.
• Demonstrated leadership experience is required (Medical Director, Associate Director, or similar)
• Proven track record of quality improvement, operational leadership, and effective collaboration across disciplines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of hospital metrics and drivers of performance, including Vizient rankings, LOS, readmissions, and patient experience.

Expectations:
Finalist candidates will be expected to present their vision and operational strategy for the Hospitalist Program as part of the interview process.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is a full-service, acute care hospital serving Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. Our hospital has been delivering high-quality, cost-effective, compassionate care to the Fort Bend community for nearly two decades which is done in a supportive, spiritual environment that’s both welcoming and conducive to healing.

Sugar Land is a city just southwest of Houston, Texas. The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land features a saltwater aquarium and a digital dome theater. Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits, including a child-size city called Kidtropolis. In the south, trails wind through Sugar Land Memorial Park and Brazos River Corridor. Oyster Creek Park includes a rose garden and a pond.

Interested candidates, please forward a copy of your CV to Physician_recruitment@houstonmethodist.org