Vanderbilt Health has named Rebecca Warren as Chief Communications Officer and Craig Boerner as Director of Enterprise News & Communications, strengthening the leadership of the Office of News & Communications.
Warren, who currently serves as Vice President of Crisis Communications, succeeds longtime communications leader John Howser, who recently announced his retirement plans. She will assume the lead communications role in March 2027.
As Chief Communications Officer, Warren will lead Vanderbilt Health’s Office of News & Communications and work with leaders and colleagues across the organization to advance communications strategies and share the stories of Vanderbilt Health’s clinical care, research, education and innovation. She also will continue to oversee crisis communications.
“Rebecca brings a rare combination of strategic communications expertise, steady judgment and a deep understanding of Vanderbilt Health’s mission,” said John F. Manning Jr., PhD, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Chief of Staff. “She has helped us navigate complex moments, strengthen our reputation, and tell the stories of the people, programs and discoveries that define Vanderbilt Health. I’m confident she will build on that work and continue to elevate how we communicate our impact to the communities we serve.”
Warren has served as Vanderbilt Health’s Vice President of Crisis Communications since 2023, working closely with leaders to navigate complex communications challenges and support major institutional initiatives. She has led the development of crisis communications playbooks and response protocols and partnered with teams across the organization to strengthen Vanderbilt Health’s reputation and media presence. Warren has worked with Vanderbilt Health since 2018, first as an agency partner and later as an in-house communications leader.
Before joining Vanderbilt Health, Warren was a partner at FINN Partners, where she led the agency’s Southeast Health practice. Warren worked closely with Vanderbilt Health on strategic communications, marketing and thought leadership programs, including multiple advertising campaigns, the award-winning “Vanderbilt Health DNA: Discoveries in Action” podcast series, and nearly a dozen virtual Leadership Assemblies connecting employees across the organization.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the talented communications team at Vanderbilt Health,” Warren said. “Having worked with this organization for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary things our people do every day — caring for patients, making new scientific discoveries and educating the next generation of health care professionals. I’m proud to help tell their stories.”
Boerner has been named Director of Enterprise News & Communications, a role that builds on his 21 years of experience with the Office of News & Communications.
Boerner has played a key role in connecting journalists with Vanderbilt Health experts and bringing national attention to the organization’s clinical expertise, scientific discoveries and leadership in health care. In his expanded role, Boerner will manage enterprise media relations for Vanderbilt Health, overseeing relationships with local, national and industry news organizations, and guiding media activities across the Office of News & Communications. He also will continue to provide media training and counsel to faculty and staff.
“Craig has deep knowledge of Vanderbilt Health and a strong understanding of what makes a compelling story,” Howser said. “Through his trusted relationships with journalists and colleagues across the organization, he consistently finds opportunities to bring Vanderbilt Health’s expertise and impact to national audiences. In this leadership role, he will help build on the strong work of the Office of News and Communications and expand the ways we tell Vanderbilt Health’s story.”
