Dwight Towler, MD, PhD, professor of Medicine and director of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, has been named the new director of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He will begin his role in February 2026.
As division director, Towler will lead divisional faculty in further building collaborative, translational research; providing impactful educational programs; delivering evidence-based patient care; and pursuing clinical practice innovations; as well as guiding strategic planning, development and resource management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dwight Towler as Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s new director of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism,” said Bryan Harris, MD, MPH, MMHC, interim chair of the Department of Medicine. “Dr. Towler is an exceptional physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research on the endocrine physiology of bone and vascular disease has advanced our understanding of the intricate role hormones play in regulating bone health and mineral metabolism.
“Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Towler is a visionary leader and an inspiring mentor, especially committed to fostering the development and success of scientists and physicians at every stage of their careers.”
Towler, who holds the Thomas W. and Joan F. Burns Missouri Chair in Diabetology at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, succeeds Alvin C. Powers, MD, Joe C. Davis Professor of Biomedical Science and professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and co-director of the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Powers led the division for 14 years.
“The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at VUMC has a strong foundation and is internationally recognized as a leader in research, clinical care and training, largely due to the direction of Dr. Al Powers, who led the division from 2010 until he stepped down from the role in 2024,” said Harris. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Powers as well as our interim division directors Gisella Carranza Leon, Lindsay Bischoff and Fiona Harrison. We are grateful for their leadership and stewardship, and we look forward to continued successes ahead under Dr. Towler’s leadership.”
The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at VUMC, which includes approximately 40 faculty and 50 staff members, is consistently recognized in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings for its excellence in comprehensive clinical care.
“The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism stands among the nation’s top programs, a distinction largely made possible by the visionary leadership of Dr. Al Powers,” said Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Officer for VUMC. “Perhaps most notably, Dr. Powers has cultivated a culture rooted in respect, collaboration and opportunity — setting a clear path forward for continued excellence.
“After an extensive, national search for a new division leader, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Towler to build on this tradition. He is an accomplished physician-scientist and leader, and he brings to the table a unique perspective on advancing biomedical research that will further strengthen and guide our program.”
Towler already counts a number of VUMC faculty members as inspirational colleagues. In his previous roles at UT Southwestern Medical Center, he connected with James Goldenring, MD, PhD, and Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, through their shared experience as Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant recipients, working to expand opportunities for physician-scientist career development.
As relevant to his own studies, he has closely followed the research of Robert Coffey, MD, and Alissa Weaver, MD, PhD, in extracellular vesicle physiology, and he is particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with Kathryn Dahir, MD, whom he praised for “establishing VUMC as a destination center for individuals with rare bone diseases.”
“All roads seem to lead to Nashville,” he said. “I’m very excited to join Vanderbilt University Medical Center and look forward to the possibility of growing new disciplines that extend from the wonderful foundation here in endocrinology and metabolism established under Dr. Power’s exceptional leadership.
“For example, in relation to organ transplant, the Vanderbilt Transplant Center is performing record numbers of solid organ transplants. Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and osteoporosis are very common — with profound impact on organ transplant outcomes, cardiovascular disease burden, musculoskeletal frailty and quality of life. This affords a wonderful opportunity for novel endocrine training program development and translational research to further enhance patient care.”
Towler expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to collaborate with health care leaders and researchers at VUMC, as mentors and advocates for the next generation of specialists in endocrine disorder management and treatment. What excites him most is the chance to build meaningful relationships with patients, trainees and faculty to advance clinical care that integrates research translation programs.
“It is such an incredible privilege to both care for and learn from our patients,” he said. “That’s why we’re at an academic medical center.”
Prior to joining the University of Missouri, Towler served as the first associate dean of Resident Research and a professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Towler earned both his medical degree and his doctorate in biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed residency and an endocrine and metabolism fellowship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Towler specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and mineral disorders, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular calcification. His research focuses on the endocrine physiology of bone and vascular disease.
He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Towler is a member of the Association of American Physicians and the American Society for Clinical Investigation.
A part of the VUMC Department of Medicine, the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism provides care for patients with endocrine disorders in outpatient clinics in Davidson and neighboring counties, in addition to primary and consultative diabetes and endocrine care at Vanderbilt University Hospital. In addition, the division delivers diabetes and endocrine care at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The division’s investigators conduct biomedical research ranging from basic science to translational to clinical research, supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, private foundations and pharmaceutical partners. The division is also home to an NIH T32 training grant for postdoctoral fellows and an NIH T35 training grant for research training for medical students.
Towler will be relocating to Nashville with his wife, Colleen. He is an avid fisherman and enjoys hiking, birdwatching and playing guitar. Colleen Towler is a talented quilter and is excited to be much nearer to Paducah, Kentucky, home to the National Quilt Museum.
