Jared O’Leary, MD, and Russ Ledford, MD, have been named Associate Chiefs of Staff (ACOS) for Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH).
O’Leary assumed the role of VUH Heart Segment Associate Chief of Staff, succeeding Andrew DeFilippis, MD, who was recently named Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Ledford assumed the role of VUH Medicine Segment Associate Chief of Staff, succeeding Allison Schwall, MD, so that she can deepen her focus on the expanding workload in the Transition Management Office and Vanderbilt Discharges and Transitions Program.
In these new roles, the physician leaders’ main responsibility is to support the patient care centers (PCC) in their care of hospitalized patients. Candidates were solicited from departmental and PCC leaders, including self-nominations, and selected via a competitive, objective interview process.
“I’m very happy with the vibrant interest this process generated,” said Warren Sandberg, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology and VUH Chief of Staff. “The fact that we had so many qualified and talented candidates speaks volumes about Vanderbilt Health’s physician leadership talent pool, and it affirms that these roles are seen as important and effectual in VUH.”
O’Leary, Assistant Professor of Medicine, is an experienced clinician whose attending experience spans the procedural space, cardiovascular intensive care unit, stepdown units, ambulatory care and the VA health care system. His leadership experience includes serving as Director of Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI) Quality and Program Director for the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship.
“We were fortunate to have Dr. O’Leary’s interest in this position,” said Lee Ann Liska, MBA, President of VUH. “As a proceduralist, he understands Vanderbilt Health’s investment in procedural medicine. His breadth of clinical experience, proven leadership in cardiovascular medicine, and especially his experience as a quality improvement leader for cardiology position him well to serve in this important role.”
As Heart Segment ACOS, O’Leary will serve VHVI and work closely with nursing and operational leaders to advance patient care, quality and clinical excellence throughout patient journeys in VUH.
Ledford, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, joined Vanderbilt Health in 2018. He was named Interim Chief of the Section of Hospital Medicine in 2023 before being appointed Chief of the Section of Hospital Medicine in 2024.
“Dr. Ledford’s leadership within Hospital Medicine; his dedication to operational excellence; and his commitment to exceptional patient care will be tremendous assets in his new role,” said Michele Hasselblad, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Officer for VUH. “He’s been recognized for his patient-centered, action-oriented approach; his commitment to supporting and learning alongside colleagues; and his belief that efficient patient care allows us to serve more patients.”
In his role as Medicine Segment ACOS, Ledford will provide leadership and strategic direction to support clinical operations, quality initiatives and patient-centered care throughout the Medicine Segment.
The VUH ACOS group are physician leaders who head the Heart and Vascular, Surgery, Neurology, Medicine and Women’s Health segments at VUH. They are each partnered with a distinct associate nursing officer, associate operating officer and advanced practice provider leader to provide clear lines of responsibility, accountability and authority with respect to VUH health care operations.
