William Cooper, MD, MPH, at the Katherine Dodd Scholars Program Celebration.
By: Kara Jones

The Vanderbilt Health Department of Pediatrics recently celebrated the 17th anniversary of the Katherine Dodd Faculty Scholars Program, recognizing its lasting impact on faculty development and honoring the leadership of its founder William (Bill) Cooper, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President for Professionalism and Clinical Excellence for Vanderbilt Health.

Established in 2009 by Cooper, former Vice Chair for Faculty Development, the program was created to support early-career faculty members in developing as educators, clinicians, scholars and leaders. Named for Katherine Dodd, MD, a Vanderbilt University faculty member from 1926 to 1944 whose career exemplified excellence in patient care and medical education, the program provides mentorship, professional development and dedicated support for participants to pursue scholarly, educational, clinical or quality improvement projects.

The Faculty Scholars Program is named for Katherine Dodd, MD, (seen in photo) a member of the Vanderbilt faculty from 1926-1944, who represented the ideal clinician and educator.

Since its inception, 48 faculty members have completed the program, with three first-year and three second-year scholars currently participating. Alumni have gone on to make significant contributions across the institution and beyond, with at least 27 promoted to associate professor or professor and many serving in leadership roles at Vanderbilt and in national organizations.

A special celebration held in October brought together current scholars, alumni and departmental leaders to reflect on the program’s legacy and to recognize Cooper, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy at the School of Medicine, for his extraordinary contributions to mentoring the next generation of pediatric faculty.

Program alumni shared stories of the guidance and support they received throughout their careers. Remarks were delivered by Mariana Bedoya, MD, a current Dodd Scholar; Daniel Benedetti, MD, a 2020-2022 Dodd Scholar; and Rebekah Brown, MD, a member of one of the program’s early cohorts who now serves as Director of Mentoring Programs in the Department of Pediatrics.

“What has been most rewarding about the Katherine Dodd Faculty Scholars Program is watching talented early-career faculty discover their own paths as educators, clinicians, scholars and leaders,” said Cooper, who also serves as President of the Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy. “The program was built on Dr. Dodd’s example of excellence and service, and it has been inspiring to see each cohort carry that legacy forward in their own unique way.”

Three adults wearing professional attire and identification badges pose together indoors in front of a large red abstract wall sculpture.
From left, Jill Simmons, MD, William Cooper, MD, MPH, and Juan Salazar, MD, MPH, at the Katherine Dodd Scholars Program celebration.

Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, System Pediatrician-in-Chief and James C. Overall Professor of Pediatrics, said the program’s success reflects Cooper’s enduring commitment to investing in people.

“Few contributions have a more lasting impact than investing in people,” Salazar said. “Dr. Bill Cooper understood that developing talented faculty would strengthen our department for generations, and the remarkable accomplishments of Dodd Scholars over the past 17 years are proof of that vision. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, mentorship and enduring legacy.”

Leadership of the Katherine Dodd Faculty Scholars Program has transitioned to Jill Simmons, MD, Vice Chair for Faculty Development, and Brown, both former Dodd Scholars. Applications for the next cohort will open in spring 2027, continuing a tradition of mentorship and professional development that has become a hallmark of the Department of Pediatrics.