The Opportunity

Join an established cardiothoracic surgery program at a 347-bed acute care tertiary facility. The hospital is seeking a second cardiothoracic surgeon to help sustain and grow the program.

The current surgeon plans to retire and has expressed interest in helping the right physician transition into the program and preserve its strengths. The timing and pace of that transition will depend on the physicians’ mutual plan and the needs of the practice; no fixed retirement or case-transfer timeline has been established.

The program currently performs approximately 175 cardiac cases annually, including about 100 TAVR procedures. With a second surgeon, there is potential to grow overall program volume to approximately 225 cardiac cases. This is a program growth opportunity, and actual volume and case distribution will depend on patient demand, the new surgeon’s interests and experience, and the transition plan.

Program Highlights

• Established cardiothoracic surgery program with an experienced surgeon in place
• Newer hybrid operating room
• Opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the program
• Minimum call responsibility of 1:3, with the option to take additional call
• Current surgeon interested in supporting a thoughtful transition and the program’s continued growth

Clinical Scope

• The ideal candidate will have experience, skills, or a strong interest in thoracic and vascular surgery. Desirable experience includes:

  • Thoracic surgery, including EBUS and VATS
  • Endovascular procedures, including EVAR, TEVAR, and peripheral interventions
  • TAVR/TAVI

The program’s thoracic services include lung biopsies and VATS procedures such as lobectomy, mediastinal mass removal, and resection of lung metastases, as well as pneumonectomy.

Candidate Profile

The hospital prefers a surgeon with five or more years of experience and will also consider an exceptional fellow completing training in 2027. The ideal candidate will bring the clinical skills to contribute to the current program while helping shape its future direction.

A Note on the Transition

This role is being recruited as an additional surgeon for an established program. The current surgeon’s planned retirement creates the opportunity for a future transition, but candidates should not be promised a specific retirement date, case volume, or transfer of the current surgeon’s practice. Those details will be discussed transparently during the interview process and developed with the physicians and hospital.

Lung and Chest Surgeries

• Our surgical team is highly skilled at performing a wide array of thoracic surgeries, including:

  • Lung biopsies: Your doctor removes a sample of lung tissue to biopsy for abnormal cells.

  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): Your doctor inserts a tiny camera called a thoracoscope into a small incision in your chest. Using the camera as a guide, your doctor inserts instruments through other small incisions in your chest to perform surgery. VATS procedures include:

    • Lobectomy: Removing portions of a diseased lung

    • Removal of mediastinal masses: Removing cancerous and noncancerous tumors found in the mediastinum, the central part of the thoracic cavity

    • Resection of lung metastasis: Removing a cancerous lung tumor

  • Pneumonectomy: Your doctor removes a diseased lung.

About Employer:

• 70+ member group of employed physicians, advanced practitioner and allied health providers offering services in 17 different specialties.
• The largest provider of medical care in the 300,000 population Tri-State Area composed of West Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri, and Southeast Iowa.
• The System also operates a 307-bed regional referral center in Quincy, and Illini Community Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Pittsfield, Illinois, (population 4,300).
• As a not-for-profit system, we accept all patients regardless of their economic condition or insurance coverage.
• The System was named one of the "100 Best Places to Work in Health Care" by Modern Healthcare magazine, and it ranks among the Country's top 8% of hospitals in its level of Information Technology development.
• Grade A hospital: This hospital has earned its second consecutive grade A for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group. This organization analyzes safety data from hospitals across the country and compares outcomes. 

• Ultra-competitive guaranteed salary: $1,000,000 to $1,060,000
• Additional call pay:  $1,400/ day (additional $175,000) for taking call 1:3
• Total Guarantee $1,175,000 to $1,235,000
• $50K sign-on bonus
• Educational debt forgiveness up to $150,000 (if applicable)
• Total Cash Guarantee:  $1,250,000 - $1,310,000  
• Six weeks PTO
• One week for Professional Time
• $5,000 professional expense reimbursement allowance
• Paid malpractice
• Comprehensive benefit package

• Scenic Mississippi River setting with riverfront parks and views from the city’s bluffs. City of Quincy, IL
• Plenty of ways to get outside, including parks, walking and biking trails, golf, and other recreation through the Quincy Park District. Quincy Park District
• Distinctive historic character, with historic neighborhoods, notable architecture, museums, and connections to Abraham Lincoln and the Lincoln-Douglas debates. City of Quincy, IL
• A lively local dining scene, with locally owned restaurants and gathering spots in and around downtown. City of Quincy, IL
• Arts and cultural activities, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, history, and literature organizations. City of Quincy, IL
• Activities for different ages and interests, from outdoor recreation to museums and the Quincy Children’s Museum. Quincy Park District
• A close-knit community feel with a range of local amenities, offering a comfortable small-city setting for work and life.

More Earning Potential. More Buying Power.

Competitive compensation: The compensation opportunity may be $200,000 to $300,000+ higher than comparable positions in Chicago and St. Louis. Total cash compensation may reach the top 75th percentile nationally, depending on experience, productivity, and the final compensation plan.

More home for your investment: Quincy offers housing options at prices well below those in many larger markets. Based on the figures provided, the average home price is approximately $108,620, and a 3,374-square-foot home with five bedrooms and four bathrooms recently sold for $255,000.

A welcoming community: New residents can connect through community events and activities throughout the year, with opportunities for families to get involved and meet their neighbors.

An employer that values its physicians and staff: The employer is committed to supporting its physicians and employees. Long-term retention among key physicians reflects the compensation and quality of life available in the community.