A Message from James McKiernan, MD

Dear CUIMC Community, 

As I take on the roles of interim executive vice president for Health and Biomedical Sciences, interim CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and interim dean of the faculties of health sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, I’d like to share some initial thoughts on this transition period.

First, I have the utmost confidence in our community and our leadership to provide continuity and to sustain excellence in every aspect of our work. I will be meeting with many of our leaders, faculty, staff, and students over the coming weeks to discuss how to best support our community and the critical roles that each of you has in the success of our institution. It will take our collective knowledge and efforts to navigate the course ahead. I deeply appreciated your support when I served as interim VP&S dean and I look forward to partnering with colleagues across CUIMC and VP&S again.  

I want to thank Dr. Katrina Armstrong for her visionary leadership of VP&S and CUIMC over the past four years. She oversaw the launch of pioneering research, clinical care, and community engagement initiatives; created new CUIMC offices; enhanced our educational programs; brought on extraordinary leaders; and led crucial infrastructure projects. I will be working with her to ensure a smooth transition, and continuing this vital work with each of you. 

I am also grateful for the partnership and support of Acting President Claire Shipman, CUIMC deans Lorraine Frazier, Jonathan Mermin, and Dennis Mitchell, and NewYork-Presbyterian CEO Brian Donley. VP&S and CUIMC’s accomplishments cannot be achieved alone. Working together, we will continue to build on our strengths, address challenges thoughtfully, and ensure a bright future for our community.

As a proud VP&S alumnus, it has been a privilege to be part of this institution for the majority of my career, and I am honored to serve in these interim roles. I thank each of you for your collaboration and steadfast dedication to advancing our great missions of patient care, research, education, and service.  

Sincerely, 

James McKiernan, MD

Interim Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Interim Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences, Columbia University
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Chief Executive Officer, ColumbiaDoctors
Senior Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons