Last week, Vanderbilt University Medical Center held a Directorship Celebration to honor 21 leaders from across the enterprise in clinical care, research, education and administration.
“Endowed directorships support the excellence of our leading physicians and scientists,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, CEO of VUMC and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Philanthropy is vital to supporting leaders as they reach the highest levels of accomplishment and impact on health care. I am deeply grateful for the support from so many individuals and families who support our directorships.”
The most recent directorships are spread throughout many different biomedical specialties — highlighting individuals who impact medicine in myriad ways.
“We are delighted to honor these highly accomplished colleagues who make critical and important contributions to VUMC’s missions. These recipients are leaders in clinical care, research, education and administration,” said David Raiford, MD, chief of Clinical Staff for VUMC and senior associate dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Medicine. “They are essential to our organization and enable us to fulfill our role as a national pioneer in health care.”
Individuals and families who support VUMC’s mission were crucial philanthropic partners to fund endowed directorships through gifts.
“It’s such a great feeling to recognize clinical leaders and their tireless efforts in this way,” said Stephen Riven, who established the Samuel S. Riven, MD, Directorship in Cardiology in honor of his late father, a former faculty member in the Department of Medicine. “Seeing Dr. Kathryn Lindley named to this directorship would have made my father so proud, so it’s really special for Jan and me to witness.”
Holders of VUMC’s newest endowed directorships are:
Alexander Gelbard, MD, holder of the Robert H. Ossoff, DMD, MD, Directorship for Translational Research in Otolaryngology.
Kathryn Lindley, MD, holder of the Samuel S. Riven, MD, Directorship in Cardiology — Established through support from Jan and Stephen S. Riven.
Paul Moore, MD, holder of the Janie Robinson and John Moore Lee Directorship in Pediatric Respiratory Diseases — Established through support from the late John M. Lee Jr. in memory of his parents, Dr. John M. Lee Sr. and Mrs. Janie Robinson Lee.
Uyen Tran, MD, holder of the Jean Ewing Love and James Randle Love Directorship in Ophthalmology — Established by the late Jean Ewing Love and James Randle Love through a gift in their will.
Kimberly Vinson, MD, holder of the Directorship for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, holder of the Directorship in Physician-Scientist Training.
Also recognized last week were holders of directorships announced in 2020 and 2021 whose celebration events were postponed due to the pandemic. They are:
Jessica Ancker, PhD, MPH, holder of the Randolph A. Miller Directorship in Biomedical Informatics Education.
Nancy Davis, MD, holder of the Katherine Jackson Johnston Directorship — Established through support from an anonymous donor.
Daniel Fabbri, PhD, holder of the DBMI Directorship in Informatics Innovation.
Oscar Guillamondegui, MD, MPH, holder of the Carol Ann Gavin Directorship in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care — Established through support from Charles E. Gavin III in honor of his late wife, Carol Ann Gavin.
Sarah Jaser, PhD, holder of the Dr. William R. Long Directorship in Pediatric Psychology — Established through support from Rebecca M. Long and family in honor of the late Dr. William R. Long.
Douglas Johnson, MD, MSCI, holder of the Susan and Luke Simons Directorship — Established through support from Susan and Luke Simons.
Jennifer Lindsey, MD, holder of the James Elliott Directorship in Resident Education.
Pratik Pandharipande, MD, MSCI, holder of the James Tayloe Gwathmey Directorship in Anesthesiology.
John Penn, PhD, holder of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Directorship in Pediatric Vision Research — Established through support from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
Tonia Rex, PhD, holder of the Marlene & Spencer Hays Directorship in Translational Vision Research — Established through support from the Marlene & Spencer Hays Foundation.
Michael Savona, MD, holder of the Beverly and George Rawlings Directorship — Established through support from Beverly S. and George R. Rawlings.
Seth Smith, PhD, holder of the Endowed Directorship for Radiology Research.
Rebecca Swan, MD, holder of the Dr. William R. Long Directorship in Pediatric Medical Education — Established through support from Rebecca M. Long and family in honor of the late Dr. William R. Long.
Adam Wright, PhD, holder of the DBMI Directorship in Clinical Informatics.
Adam Yock, PhD, DABR, holder of the Directorship in Technology and Innovation for Radiation Oncology.
