James (Jay) Wilkinson, MD, MPH, former Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research for Vanderbilt Health’s Department of Pediatrics, died June 6. He was 73.
Following his retirement from the Department of Pediatrics and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Dr. Wilkinson had recently relocated from Nashville to Boston. He died peacefully after a long illness, surrounded by his family and close friends.
Across Vanderbilt Health, those who knew and worked with Dr. Wilkinson, former Professor of Pediatrics, remembered him as a deeply respected mentor, colleague and servant leader whose strong commitment to work and steadfast dedication to others left a lasting impact on Vanderbilt Health as well as in the field of pediatric health care.
“On behalf of the Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Health, and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, we extend our deepest condolences to Jay’s family, friends, colleagues, former trainees and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” said Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, System Pediatrician-in-Chief and James C. Overall Professor of Pediatrics. “Jay’s legacy of scholarship, mentorship, service and compassion will endure. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.”
After joining Vanderbilt in 2017, Dr. Wilkinson spent the subsequent eight years before retirement contributing to every aspect of the department’s academic mission across his many roles. In addition to overseeing the pediatric arm of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research, he had served as director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Pediatric Clinical Research Center, providing visionary leadership and guidance to countless investigators. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, he held tenured faculty appointments at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
“Jay was a formidable force for the Department of Pediatrics, doing the work that needed to be done for department grant submissions and research oversight,” said Michael DeBaun, MD, MPH, Vice Chair for Clinical and Translational Research and holder of the J.C. Peterson, MD Chair in Pediatrics. “His work ethic was second to none, and he always pitched in to do whatever the department needed.
Dr. Wilkinson was a dedicated member of the Institutional Review Board, serving as vice chair of the IRB Health Sciences Committee 1, and was widely regarded as one of the institution’s foremost experts in research ethics, compliance and regulatory affairs. He also directed the Turner-Hazinski Program, organized the Department of Pediatrics’ annual Research Week, coordinated Pediatric Grand Rounds, and served as a key architect of the department’s K12 and R38 training grants.
“Jay was a friend, mentor and a true example of servant leadership,” said Natasha Halasa, MD, MPH, Craig-Weaver Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Monroe Carell. “He never sought recognition or accolades yet quietly worked behind the scenes to make things happen. No task was ever beneath him, and he was always willing to step in wherever needed to ensure success. His dedication, humility and selfless commitment to others left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. He will be deeply missed.”
Colleagues across the Department of Pediatrics remembered Dr. Wilkinson for the steady support and wisdom he brought to his roles as an educator and trusted advisor.
“It was a privilege to get to know and work with Jay,” said Leigh Howard, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics. “At first, he was a valued mentor, and over time, he became a wonderful colleague and friend. Meetings with Jay were always a highlight of the week — he never ran out of energy or encouraging words, and working with him made even mundane tasks enjoyable. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Wilkinson earned his Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of South Florida, followed by a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Miami. He completed his pediatric residency at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, and subsequently pursued fellowship training in pediatric intensive care and anesthesiology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Wilkinson’s early academic career was devoted to pediatric critical care medicine, serving as a pediatric intensivist at New York Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center and later at Children’s National Medical Center/George Washington University. In 1995, he transitioned from clinical practice to focus on pediatric epidemiology, clinical research and research administration.
A nationally recognized leader in large multicenter studies and trials, Dr. Wilkinson’s work was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Health Resources and Services Administration for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications and numerous chapters and presentations.
His primary research focus was pediatric cardiology, specifically cardiomyopathy, heart failure and heart transplantation in children. He also published extensively on the results of epidemiologic studies in HIV/AIDS, cancer, the health consequences of tobacco exposure, and critical care.
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