Andrew DeFilippis, MD, professor of Medicine, has been named director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His appointment is effective Dec. 1.
DeFilippis serves as associate chief of staff at Vanderbilt University Hospital and served as the medical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit from 2020 to 2025. He is also an inpatient segment leader at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, leading innovations in care and processes to improve quality, safety and productivity. Since 2023 he has also served as associate program director of the Vanderbilt Internal Medicine Residency Program.
“After a rigorous national search, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew DeFilippis as the new division director of Cardiovascular Medicine,” said Bryan Harris, MD, MPH, MMHC, interim chair of the Department of Medicine. “Dr. DeFilippis is a visionary leader with a proven track record of excellence across research, clinical care and education. His ability to lead transformative initiatives, coupled with his dedication to improving patient outcomes, positions him well to guide the division into a new era of success.
“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Daniel Muñoz and Francis Miller, whose leadership during the interim period has been invaluable. Together, we are excited to see the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine thrive under Dr. DeFilippis’ leadership,” said Harris, who holds the Allen Kaiser, MD Directorship for Clinical Excellence.
DeFilippis’ clinical interests include cohort development, clinical cardiology, cardiovascular epidemiology and acute myocardial infarction (MI), also known as heart attack. His research interests include better understanding, predicting, diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of myocardial injury events, specifically subtypes of MI.
Since 2021, DeFilippis has worked collaboratively with laboratory medicine, interventional cardiology, and emergency medicine to improve the evaluation and treatment of chest pain, including a systemwide opportunity to initiate a new blood test, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), to promote earlier treatment for individuals experiencing MI.
Deployed at VUMC in 2024, the hs-cTnT test is more precise than the conventional troponin test previously used. It also provides results in less time, which means an MI can be confirmed or ruled out earlier so appropriate treatment can begin. The test can reduce time spent in the emergency room and unnecessary hospital admissions for those with signs or symptoms of a heart attack but who do not have this diagnosis.
DeFilippis is the founder and director of the Myocardial Injury Translational Research Laboratory at VUMC, where he and other researchers work to better understand atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction.
DeFilippis’ work on cardiovascular risk prediction and heart attack treatment is prominently cited in multiple cardiovascular treatment guidelines from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, United States Preventive Services Task Force, and the National Lipid Association. This work has shaped how physicians save lives every day.
“Dr. DeFilippis is an inspired choice to lead this outstanding division into the future,” said Muñoz, MD, MPA, executive medical director for the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. “His track record of success in cutting-edge research, clinical program building and medical education will serve the division well. I’m thrilled at the prospect of continuing to work with Dr. DeFilippis in his new leadership role.”
DeFilippis joined VUMC in 2020 from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. There, he was responsible for bringing a state-of-the-art cardiovascular critical care unit (CICU) to Jewish Hospital at the University of Louisville. The CICU is the first working collaboration between a private practice group and the University.
DeFilippis also served as director of the University of Louisville cardiovascular disease prevention center, an outpatient clinic that evaluates and treats patients with primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention needs.
DeFilippis received his Bachelor of Science in biology from James Madison University and his Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University. He completed a Master of Science in clinical research and an internal medicine residency, both at Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine and a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
“We are delighted to have Dr. DeFilippis as the next Division of Cardiovascular Medicine director,” said Jane E. Freedman, MD, Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Officer. “He is an outstanding clinician, leader, researcher and mentor and will lead this important division to further growth and success.”
DeFilippis said, “It is with great excitement and honor that I accept this opportunity to lead this outstanding Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Thank you to Dr. Jane Freedman, Dr. Bryan Harris, the selection committee, and the entire Division of Cardiovascular Medicine for your confidence in me to serve as the next director. Thank you to Dr. Dan Muñoz and Dr. Francis Miller for their outstanding interim leadership over the last two years.
“It is a time of tremendous expansion for Vanderbilt cardiology and of unprecedented change in health care and academia across the nation. I am confident that the collective wisdom and dedication of our faculty and staff will help to further distinguish this division as a national leader in patient care, cardiovascular research, and developing the next generation of cardiologists,” DeFilippis said.
