Vice President - Learning Health System and Quality Improvement

Position Overview

Benefits and perks available for eligible positions include: robust educational assistance programs, generous paid time off, employee assistance and wellness programs, paid parental leave, qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, plus more.

Job Description

The VP, LHS/QI is a senior executive responsible for building and leading an integrated, enterprise-wide LLHS that continuously transforms data into knowledge, knowledge into practice, and practice into improved health outcomes. The VP for LHS/QI will lead the development and integration of advanced methodologies and strategies for continuously improving healthcare delivery, efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes through the application of data-driven insights and innovation. This pivotal role will bridge clinical practice, healthcare operations, and research, fostering an environment of perpetual learning and adaptation to optimize the value of care delivered at UAB Medicine sites.

This leader will facilitate strategic alignment of quality improvement, informatics, analytics, operational excellence, and clinical research to create a highly reliable, data-driven system where improvement is embedded in practice. The VP will facilitate efforts to create a national model for evidence-based, innovative patient-centered care.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership for the LHS and Quality Improvement•

• Build and execute a comprehensive Learning Health System strategy aligned with enterprise goals for quality, operations, and research
• Facilitate integration of current infrastructure for continuous learning cycles (data evidence implementation evaluation scale) including pragmatic trials.
• Serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership on using data for evidence generation and clinical transformation.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including clinicians, researchers, IT professionals, and administrative staff, to design and execute projects that leverage data to inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
• Facilitate the use of advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to derive actionable insights from clinical data.
• Facilitate the integration and utilization of electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technologies to support continuous learning and improvement.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based practice and continuous improvement through training, workshops, and other educational initiatives.
• Design and oversee large-scale projects that aim to close the loop between best evidence, clinical practices, and patient outcomes.
• Evaluate and report on the impact of Learning Health System initiatives and recommend strategic adjustments as necessary.
• Represent the medical center in professional forums, conferences, and collaborative networks focused on Learning Health Systems.
• Collaborate on procurement of funding for Learning Health System initiatives through grants, partnerships, and other sources.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences.

• 
  Collaborate with the Center for Clinical Translational Science (CCTS) and Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE) to facilitate use of implementation science expertise for translating research into practice.
• Facilitate evaluation of interventions, pragmatic trials embedded in care, and predictive analytics applications.
• Ensure improvements are sustained, scaled, and measured for effectiveness.
• Build a strong culture of learning, curiosity, innovation, and psychological safety among clinicians and staff.

Data, Measurement & Analytics

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  Partner with Analytics, IT, epidemiology, and Informatics teams to create real-time data systems that support learning cycles.
• Champion transparency, metric standardization, and advanced decision-support tools.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree in Medicine. Ten (10) years of leadership experience in health systems, academic medicine, quality improvement, research oversight, or clinical transformation.
• Exceptional leadership, project management, and team-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare systems, clinical practices, and relevant regulatory environments.
• Proven track record in leading Learning Health System projects or initiatives within a healthcare setting.
• Extensive experience with clinical data management, advanced analytics, and health information technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience in securing and managing research grants and funding.
• Strong understanding of EHR systems (Epic/Cerner), clinical workflows, and data-driven decision-making.
• Track record of building multidisciplinary teams and leading large-scale initiatives.

Preferred

• Record of obtaining grants and contracts from varied sources (e.g., NIH, PCORI, CMS, foundations, etc.).
• Publication record in relevant peer-reviewed journals.
• Knowledge of AI governance, digital health transformation, and real-world evidence generation.
• Publications or national reputation in quality improvement, implementation science, or learning health systems.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification or training.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge research, operations, and clinical practice

Why Work at UAB Medicine

We are UAB Medicine, Alabama’s largest and most comprehensive health system, recognized nationally for delivering world-class patient care, pioneering research, and cutting-edge medical education. We proudly serve more than 1.1 million patients each year – from every county in Alabama, all 50 states, and many countries around the world. Our network spans numerous hospitals, emergency departments, more than 67 other sites of care, and a team of over 2,200 physicians. Our key facilities include UAB Hospital – ranked the No. 1 hospital in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report and home to the state’s only ACS-verified Level I adult trauma center and Magnet-designated hospital – along with UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye and five UAB St. Vincent’s hospitals serving central Alabama.

UAB Medicine offers careers across a wide range of practice environments, from our internationally renowned academic medical center and award-winning community hospitals to our primary and specialty care clinics across the state. Whether you’re seeking the fast-paced learning environment of a tertiary care setting or the close-knit environment of a community facility, there’s a place for you on our team where you can become part of a mission-driven organization committed to delivering life-changing care. With nearly every medical specialty represented and unlimited opportunities for growth, you’ll find the right fit for your skills and career goals. We care for you by offering comprehensive, industry-leading benefit packages to support the individual preferences and circumstances of our diverse staff.