Dr. André L. Churchwell will step down from his Vanderbilt University Medical Center administrative role as chief diversity officer and as senior associate dean for diversity affairs at the School of Medicine on June 30. Going forward, he will devote that portion of his time to his role as vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer for Vanderbilt University.
Churchwell has served in various roles to increase VUMC’s diversity and inclusion for more than 12 years, and he has served as VUMC’s chief diversity officer since 2015.
In 2019, he also was named interim vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer for Vanderbilt University, and he was permanently appointed to the position in 2020. Churchwell works with other Vanderbilt leaders to advance and support best practices for promoting a culture of inclusivity at the university.
“It has been a remarkable 12-plus years serving in my diversity roles at VUSM and VUMC. I’m most proud of the partnerships I’ve formed during our diversity journey—to see how so many colleagues have taken up the banner on their own,” Churchwell said. “I’m looking forward to devoting even more of my time and focus to deepening the principles of diversity and inclusion at the university and to further developing programming and a campus culture that allows every member of our community to feel welcome, supported and empowered to reach their fullest potential.”
Churchwell holds the Levi Watkins Jr., M.D., Chair and is a professor of medicine, biomedical engineering and radiology and radiologic sciences. A leading cardiologist, he will continue his responsibilities on the Medical Center’s clinical staff caring for patients of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as his role on numerous boards and committees both on the Vanderbilt campus and across the nation.