Bryan Harris, MD, MPH, MMHC, associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Executive Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Medicine, has been appointed interim chair of the Department of Medicine, effective July 1.
Harris, holder of the Allen Kaiser, MD, Directorship for Clinical Excellence, succeeds Jane Freedman, MD, the Gladys Parkinson Stahlman Professor of Cardiovascular Research, as she assumes the role of Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Officer.
With more than 1,500 physician faculty and advance practice providers serving in 13 subspecialty divisions, the Department of Medicine is known internationally for its contributions to cardiovascular and genetic medicine, diabetes, gastroenterology, nephrology, allergy and infectious diseases and other subspecialty fields.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in National Institutes of Health research funding among peers, the department is also renowned for its academic excellence with more than 550 trainees in its residency and fellowship programs.
“The Department of Medicine is a powerhouse whose impact drives our organization in countless ways,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “A ‘quadruple Dore,’ Dr. Harris has committed his career to VUMC and its missions and comes to this role well prepared for the important responsibility of advancing the department’s objectives.”
A native of Middle Tennessee, Harris attended Vanderbilt University, where he earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees, as well as his Master of Public Health and Master of Management in Health Care degrees.
“Dr. Harris’ leadership, institutional knowledge and dedication to our mission make him an ideal choice to guide the department during this transitional period,” said Freedman. “I am confident that the department will continue to thrive under Dr. Harris’ interim leadership.”
Harris completed his Internal Medicine residency at VUMC, where he served as chief resident, and where he also completed fellowship training in Infectious Diseases.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role,” Harris said. “Our faculty staff, and trainees are amazing, and I am committed to supporting their efforts as we navigate this transition period together. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Freedman and working collaboratively to advance our tripartite mission.”
As associate health care epidemiologist at VUMC since 2016, Harris helped guide the medical center’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as chief health system epidemiologist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System through 2021.
As executive medical director of VUMC’s Medicine Patient Care Center from 2018 to 2023, Harris worked with departments and divisions to align services and, by improving access and enhancing efficiencies, reduce barriers to care. In 2023 he was named executive vice chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Medicine.
In his new role as interim chair, “(Harris) will be assisted by the department’s outstanding vice chairs and division directors,” Freedman said. Anna Hemnes, MD, director of the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, also will assist him with select research and educational efforts, she said.
