John Howser

March 20, 2026

Medical Center Chief Operating Officer John Manning to retire at year’s end

During a career at Vanderbilt spanning more than a quarter century, Manning’s portfolio of responsibilities steadily increased so that now major parts of the enterprise are under his watch.

By John Howser
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, talks about VUMC’s ongoing commitment to its core missions during the recent Leadership Assembly. (photo by Donn Jones)
March 12, 2026

Vanderbilt Health President and CEO Jeff Balser to retire 

Jeff Balser’s announcement culminates a career-long journey that began at Vanderbilt in the mid-1980s as a medical student and doctoral dual degree candidate.

By John Howser
February 2, 2026

Dominic Paris named Vice President of Finance and Divisional Chief Financial Officer for Affiliate Operations

Paris replaces Karen Nanney, CPA, Vice President of Finance for Enterprise-Wide Functions, who will retire later this year after 40 years of steadfast service to Vanderbilt.

By John Howser
February 2, 2026

Vanderbilt Health acquires Tennova’s Clarksville hospital and related physician clinics from Community Health Systems

This acquisition marks Vanderbilt Health’s fourth regional hospital expansion, further strengthening its presence across Middle Tennessee beyond its already extensive inpatient and ambulatory services in Nashville.

By John Howser
January 27, 2026

Josh Peterson named chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics

Peterson, who joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 2002, is an internationally recognized researcher and educator in the field of biomedical informatics and maintains an internal medicine practice with Vanderbilt Health.

By John Howser
January 5, 2026

Anna Hemnes named chair of Department of Medicine and system physician-in-chief for Vanderbilt Health

She will serve as the 11th chair of the Department of Medicine and system physician-in-chief for Vanderbilt Health. Her appointment was effective Jan. 1.

By John Howser
January 2, 2026

Division of Animal Care leader Jeanne Wallace to retire

At Vanderbilt Health, Wallace recruited and built a team of veterinarians and operations managers to provide a high-quality animal care program to support researchers with Vanderbilt Health and Vanderbilt University.
By John Howser
December 9, 2025

Stephan Heckers to step down after two decades as Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences chair

Heckers is currently VUMC’s longest serving clinical department chair. He credits his longevity to the department’s culture and tradition of steady leadership, with each of the three previous chairs serving for periods of similar length.
By John Howser
November 4, 2025

Allison Hanlon named chair of Department of Dermatology

Hanlon, who joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 2016, succeeds Mary Margaret “Meg” Chren, MD, the department’s inaugural chair.
By John Howser
October 29, 2025

Alice Coogan to retire; Adam Seegmiller to succeed as chair of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

The Department of PM&I continues to be one of the leading and most innovative of its kind in the nation.
By John Howser
September 25, 2025

Vanderbilt University Hospital’s Adult Emergency Department serves the region’s critically ill

Vanderbilt Health System’s emergency departments cared for more than 221,000 patients in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
By John Howser
September 9, 2025

Jamie Phillips named President of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

She brings nearly 30 years of experience in health care administration to Monroe Carell, the past seven of which have been in a chief operating officer role.
By John Howser