Jeff Balser

Engage. This was the challenge and the promise extended to those in attendance during Tuesday’s winter Clinical Enterprise Leadership Assembly at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Read More

As we begin 2015, many at VUMC would say they have experienced more change in the last year than at any time in their careers. Read More

Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos announced in November that the institution is embarking on a process to reconfigure Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a not-for-profit academic medical center that is financially distinct from the university. Read More

Last month’s announcement to restructure Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a “financially distinct” entity from Vanderbilt University will give the Medical Center more flexibility and allow it to access capital as it continues to build the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, now close to 45 affiliated hospitals strong, and invest in programs and facilities on the main campus in ways that will positively impact clinical programs as well as the research and educational missions, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said during Wednesday’s Winter 2014 Clinical Enterprise Leadership Assembly. Read More

Today, Vanderbilt University announced the institution is embarking on a process to re-configure VUMC as a not-for-profit academic medical center that is financially distinct from Vanderbilt University. The two organizations will remain tightly woven together by mission, academic programs, and the respected Vanderbilt name. Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice… Read More

Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., delivers Tuesday’s State of the Medical Center Address in Langford Auditorium. (photo by Joe Howell) He began with a simple thank you. That’s how Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., Vanderbilt’s vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine chose to… Read More

During presentations that were filled with messages about Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s purpose, addressing the “why” rather than detailing facts and figures, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, and C. Wright Pinson, MBA, M.D., deputy vice chancellor for Health Affairs and CEO of the Vanderbilt Health System, led the audience at Wednesday’s Fall Leadership Assembly through candid dialogue about VUMC’s way forward. Read More

The rapid change in the economics of health care delivery has challenged us all — financially, operationally and culturally. But through it all, our organization of 20,000 people is not just reacting. We are also learning. Read More

Dear Colleagues, As the warm days of summer approach, I have never been more heartened by the commitment and strength of the people at VUMC. The financial challenges we have been experiencing for 18 months are now being regularly reported by other health systems and media nationwide. Only this… Read More

At last week’s Commencement, the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Class of 2014 was charged with focusing on developing relationships with their patients and stepping up as leaders in their profession while making a positive impact in health care. Read More

For more than a year I have been communicating about the economic circumstances that have required a laser-like focus on cost reductions and workflow redesign throughout the Medical Center. While we still have a long way to go, we have made significant progress and can be proud of what has been accomplished. Read More

“There has never been a time when we need leaders more than today.” With these words, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, began his quarterly conversation with colleagues at Wednesday’s Clinical Enterprise Leadership Assembly in Langford Auditorium. Read More

A message from the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Read More

Could anything be more complicated than health care has become — particularly at VUMC where we are educating, discovering and caring for patients all at once? Read More

Vanderbilt University plans to build a four-floor inpatient expansion on top of the existing structure of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, hospital officials announced Dec. 31, 2013. Each floor of the expansion will add approximately 40,000 square feet to Children’s Hospital that will be used to fulfill… Read More

“The downsizing effort is over.” With those words, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, announced Wednesday that workforce reduction efforts announced in September at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are completed. Read More

Oftentimes, holding firm to core principles and values anchors us and assures long-term success during periods of rapid change. Read More

While the national economy appears to be getting stronger, health care has entered a national recession, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told a packed audience of approximately 1,100 Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students in Langford Auditorium on Wednesday afternoon while making his annual State of the Medical Center address. Read More

We are — at our core — a place that cares about people. That caring attitude is reflected in how we “are” with one another, and also with our patients and students. Read More

Hilliard and Nancy Travis He was a successful, self-made businessman, and she was a pioneering nurse, but the many professional accomplishments of Nancy and Hilliard Travis were eclipsed only by their ongoing generosity to the community, especially their beloved Vanderbilt. The most recent example is a generous… Read More