How to Run an Academic Department.

Customarily, academic chairs have embodied the triple role of excellence in clinical work,education and research. With the rapid changes in healthcare, it has become clear that surgical expertise and academic achievements do not necessarily translate into leadership greatness. Currently to successfully run an academic department the chairperson must also be an experienced manager, with an understanding of business administration, financial restrictions, productivity goals, and medical ethics. A successful chair needs to be able to balance variable tasks and diverse people, and be proficient in managing uncertainty and change. In this review we summarize the clinical, academic and administrative challenges associated with running an academic department.