Cathy Ryan
Cathy Ryan has been named lieutenant commander of Medical Center police operations, a role in which she has served in the acting capacity for the past year. Ryan, who has served Vanderbilt Police Department since 1987, was formerly sergeant of the University’s patrol division.
The appointment replaces the position of lieutenant liaison for Medical Center police operations, in which Phil Pipitone served until his retirement in 2002.
As part of her enhanced responsibilities, Ryan will be directly responsible for the 35 police and security officers assigned to the Medical Center and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. In addition to regular administrative duties, Ryan will work to maintain compliance to security standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.
“Cathy is very talented and possesses the attributes to assume responsibility for police operations at the Medical Center,” Assistant Chief of Police Charles Smith said. “The Medical Center is unique because possesses several different law enforcement issues being a Level 1 trauma center.”
Added Ryan, “I am very excited about the possibilities within the position.”