C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, President of the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, was honored by the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) as this year’s recipient of the CEO of Distinction Award. The award recognizes leadership and service by an individual THA member in addition to contributions to the health care industry.
Pinson was honored for decades of transformative leadership in Tennessee healthcare. For more than 16 years, he served as VUMC’s Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Officer, where, among numerous other accomplishments, he helped build one of the nation’s leading transplant centers and liver transplant programs. He also performed Middle Tennessee’s first liver transplant.
Today, he leads the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, a collaboration of 66 hospitals and more than 7,000 providers across the region. He is also a longstanding THA leader, including service as Board Chair from 2018 to 2019.
The THA announced this year’s recipients of its 2025 Awards of Excellence, honoring individuals whose leadership and service have strengthened hospitals and advanced patient care across Tennessee. The awards were presented during THA’s 87th Annual Meeting.