Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently held a Directorship Celebration to honor 17 leaders from across the enterprise in clinical care, research, education and administration.
“Each of the directorship holders we are recognizing have the following in common: each is respected as a national leader in her or his field; each is incredibly passionate about their work; and each is vital to our mission to cultivate future leaders,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of VUMC and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“Directorships help support the important work of these talented and dedicated individuals as they provide compassionate care, advance innovative research and train future generations of leaders.”
Many of these endowed directorships at VUMC are funded by generous donors who are passionate about making a meaningful difference in research and patient care.
“We are excited to be a part of honoring these extraordinary leaders and the incredible work they do,” said Phil Wenk, DDS, executive director of the Smile180 Foundation. The Smile180 Foundation established the Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation Directorship to support a leader in the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “Dr. Golinko and his team are doing amazing work for patients with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial disorders. As the program continues to grow and expand, they can care for even more children and restore more healthy smiles.”
The most recent directorships are spread throughout many different departments — highlighting individuals who impact patient care in myriad ways. Holders of VUMC’s newest directorships are:
- Ritu Banerjee, MD, PhD, holder of the Directorship in Pediatrics — Established through support from an anonymous donor.
- Bradley Dennis, MD, holder of the Carol Ann Gavin Directorship in Acute Care Surgery — Established through support from Charles E. Gavin III in memory of his late wife, Carol Ann Gavin.
- Stephanie Doupnik, MD, MS, holder of the Dr. William R. Long Directorship in Children’s Health Policy — Established through support from Rebecca Long and family in memory of her late husband, William R. Long, MD.
- Michael Golinko, MD, MA, holder of the Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation Directorship — Established through support from Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation.
- Joseph Magliocca, MD, holder of the Cindy and Dave Baier Directorship — Established through support from Cindy and Dave Baier.
- Evan Brittain, MD, MSc, holder of the Cardiology Division Directorship.
- Bryan Harris, MD, MPH, MHHC, holder of the Allen Kaiser, MD, Directorship for Clinical Excellence.
- Kelvin Moses, MD, PhD, holder of the Joseph A. Smith Jr. Directorship in Urology.
- Kristin Archer, PhD, DPT, holder of the Clint Devin Directorship in Orthopaedic Surgery — Established through support from multiple donors in honor of the late Dr. Clinton James Devin.
- Sari Acra, MD, MPH, holder of the Directorship in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
- Eric Austin, MD, MSCI, holder of the Directorship in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension.
- Jennifer Below, PhD, holder of Robert A. Goodwin Jr., MD, Directorship in Medicine.
- Veronique Belzil, PhD, MS, holder of the Directorship in Neurology Research.
- Ambra Pozzi, PhD, holder of the Thomas Golper Directorship.
- Douglas Ruderfer, PhD, MS, holder of the Directorship in Digital Genomic Health.
- Wesley Self, MD, MPH, holder of the Directorship in Emergency Care Research.
- Nicole Ward, PhD, MSc, holder of the Lloyd E. King Jr. Directorship in Dermatology Research.
