Norman Regional Health System is adding a cardiothoracic surgeon to an established cardiac surgery program in Norman, Oklahoma, 20 minutes south of Oklahoma City. You would join a tenured cardiothoracic surgeon at a 320-bed hospital with a dedicated CABG operating room, a hybrid OR, and structural heart and TAVR programs already in place.
The position exists for two reasons. Cardiac and thoracic volume is growing faster than one full-time surgeon can absorb, and the PRN surgeon who currently provides backup coverage is preparing to retire. Norman Regional wants a second full-time surgeon in place before that transition, with capacity to build thoracic and lung nodule work on top of the core cardiac caseload.
| Employer | Norman Regional Health System, hospital employed (clinic and hospital) |
|---|---|
| Location | Norman, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City metro |
| Position Type | New position, added for growth and succession |
| Setting | 320-bed hospital with dedicated CABG OR and hybrid room |
| Schedule | Approximately 3 OR days and 2 clinic days per week, block time |
| Call | 10 days per month maximum by contract |
| Clinic | Heart Plaza, adjacent to the hospital |
| Volume Target | Approximately 135 total surgical cases per surgeon per year |
| Base Salary | $865,000 to $900,000 with wRVU bonus, $2 million income potential |
Norman Regional is expanding its cardiovascular service line and needs surgical capacity to match.
The current full-time cardiothoracic surgeon performs all CABG, valve, thoracotomy, and wedge procedures for the system.
The PRN cardiothoracic surgeon, who covers call and backs up the cath lab, is retiring. His patient panel and call responsibilities transfer to the incoming surgeon.
Interventional cardiology is growing from 5 to 8 physicians and non-invasive cardiology from 2 to 4, which increases surgical referrals.
The region has a high rate of lung cancer with low screening rates. Leadership wants to grow the lung nodule program and the thoracic surgery volume that follows.
CABG is the primary clinical need. Leadership has been direct that the incoming surgeon should expect a heavy coronary bypass caseload from day one, with valve surgery, thoracotomies, and wedge resections rounding out the practice.
Core procedures: CABG, valve surgery, thoracotomy, wedge resection
Growth areas: thoracic surgery, lung nodule program, mitral valve services
Vascular skills are welcome but not required. You may perform peripheral vascular procedures if trained; a vascular surgeon and the interventional cardiology group also provide vascular coverage
No turf restrictions. You would have full scope to perform the procedures you are trained to do
The practice runs on roughly a 50/50 split between the OR and clinic. The standard expectation is 3 OR days and 2 clinic days per week, and the split can flex to 2.5 and 2.5 depending on your practice style and how quickly your caseload builds. OR time is block scheduled, with one room dedicated to CABG and a second room available as volume grows.
Clinic is at Heart Plaza in the hospital parking area, in an office adjacent to one of the cardiology practices. Clinic schedules are staggered so the two surgeons are not in clinic on the same day, which gives you access to the full clinic footprint on your clinic days.
Current wait time for a new patient to see a cardiovascular surgeon is 7 to 10 days. Norman Regional does not have a backlog problem; the need is capacity to grow.
Board certified or board eligible in thoracic surgery
Fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery
Experienced surgeons and new graduates are both being considered
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position