Passing the Baton

After more than four decades of service, Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, President of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, retired Dec. 31, 2025. She spent her entire career at Vanderbilt Health, beginning as a neonatology resident in 1984 and rising through leadership roles to become President of Monroe Carell in 2020. Rush’s tenure was marked by unwavering commitment to children’s health and transformative growth for Monroe Carell. Under her leadership, the hospital earned national recognition as Tennessee’s No. 1 children’s hospital and shared the top spot for the Southeast region for five consecutive years in U.S. News & World Report rankings. Monroe Carell also achieved Leapfrog Top Hospital status in 2025, a distinction held by only 15 children’s hospitals nationwide. 

Rush guided major expansions, including a four-floor, 160,000-square-foot addition completed in 2025, and championed initiatives such as Tennessee’s first pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit for children under 13. Today, Monroe Carell serves more than 1,800 children daily across 30 off-site locations.  

 “It’s really a pretty simple recipe: I believe what’s most important is staying anchored in the mission, our why — to provide excellent clinical care and support of children who come to us for their health needs — and caring for and connecting with each other as caregivers,” she said. “And this is more than just a place you come to work — it is a special place of hope.” 

Rush’s contributions earned numerous honors, including recognition as a “Woman to Watch in Medicine,” a Top 10 Woman in Business, and Distinguished Alumni from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. While retiring from her official role, Rush plans to continue advocating for children’s health. 

Jamie Phillips, MHA, succeeded Rush as President on Jan. 12. Phillips brings nearly 30 years of health care administration experience, most recently as President and System Chief Operating Officer at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She previously held leadership roles at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Phillips earned her Master of Health Administration from The Ohio State University and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

“I am truly honored to join this remarkable team of professionals committed to providing compassionate care and advancing innovative research,” said Phillips. “I want to acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Meg Rush, whose decades of service built a foundation of excellence and compassion. My goal is to carry this legacy forward while working alongside all of you to reimagine care, research and innovation for the children and families we serve.”