Imagine stepping into a role where entrepreneurial spirit meets institutional support, where you can build the practice you've always envisioned without the risks of going solo or the constraints of private equity. Cape Fear Valley Health System is seeking a dermatologist to pioneer comprehensive skin care services in a community where patients currently wait three months or travel 90+ minutes to Raleigh, Duke, or Wilmington for care. This isn't just another employed position – it's your chance to capture significant market share while enjoying the security of a $815,000+ base salary and the freedom to shape your practice exactly as you envision it.
Your practice home will be a modern 10-exam room suite, integrated within a thriving surgical practice that already includes plastic surgery, general surgery, and established skin health services. The infrastructure is ready – you'll have dedicated support staff including your own nurse and medical assistant, with the flexibility to expand your team as your practice grows. Unlike many hospital-employed positions that box you into rigid protocols, Cape Fear Valley's message is refreshingly simple: "Do whatever you want within dermatology's scope, and we'll support you."
The market opportunity is compelling: Cape Fear Valley's own data shows significant patient outmigration for dermatology services. Your competition consists of one semi-retired physician whose practice is largely run by mid-levels, and a regional group where two dermatologists rotate between four locations. Market research confirms what the data suggests – existing practices have three-month wait times, leaving enormous unmet demand for accessible, high-quality dermatological care.
This position offers remarkable flexibility in practice focus. Whether you envision a general dermatology practice, a Mohs surgery center, or a combination incorporating medical, surgical, and cosmetic services, the choice is yours. The existing plastic surgeon is overwhelmed with requests and eager to collaborate, creating natural referral patterns for complex reconstructions while potentially sharing cosmetic cases based on your interests.
Cape Fear Valley Health System's growth trajectory adds another dimension to this opportunity. Beyond the new medical school, they're launching a CRNA school and PA surgery residency, positioning you within an expanding academic medical community. For those interested in leadership, medical directorship opportunities exist for candidates who demonstrate vision and initiative. Yet none of these academic or administrative opportunities are required – they're simply available for those who want to expand beyond clinical practice.
Unlike the consolidation and private equity pressures affecting many dermatology practices, this role offers true physician autonomy backed by a financially strong health system that's committed to saying "yes" to what you need to succeed. You'll build your practice your way, with the patient volume and case mix you prefer, while enjoying the operational support that lets you focus on what you do best – providing excellent patient care.