David Miller to lead Vanderbilt Health after distinguished service at Michigan Medicine

 ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso announced today that David C. Miller — a urological surgeon and a nationally recognized expert in urological oncology, quality improvement and health services research — has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, effective Jan. 1, 2027. 

Miller’s appointment to Vanderbilt follows more than a decade of service and leadership at Michigan Medicine, where he held several leadership roles, including Executive Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs for the Medical School and President of U-M Health. He was appointed to his current role, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Marshall S. Runge in July 2025.  

“David has strengthened Michigan Medicine in enduring ways through many accomplishments over more than a decade of exceptional leadership,” Grasso said. “His accomplishments include advancing clinical and operational excellence, improving patient safety, driving strategic growth and integration to develop a statewide clinical network and further elevating Michigan Medicine’s national distinction as a leading academic medical center. David has created a culture of trust, transparency and communication strengthening the entire organization. We are deeply grateful for his steadfast leadership, his unwavering commitment to our mission and the countless contributions he has made to our patients, learners, faculty and staff.”

“Dr. Miller is an exceptional leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to patients and families and extraordinary effectiveness in overseeing all aspects of our education, research, and clinical care delivery operations,” said Michael Behm, Chair of the University of Michigan Board of Regents. “Vanderbilt is gaining a leader of uncommon integrity, judgment, and vision. We are grateful for all David has contributed to Michigan Medicine and proud to see him called to this extraordinary opportunity.”

The Vanderbilt role combines leadership of an independent academic health system with oversight of the medical school. As President and CEO of Vanderbilt Health, Miller will lead the health system and report directly to the independent Vanderbilt Health Board of Directors. In his role as Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he will report to the University's Chancellor.

“This has been one of the most consequential decisions of my career,” Miller said. “Michigan Medicine has been far more than my workplace — it has been my professional home. Leaving a community that I care so deeply about is incredibly difficult. I will always be grateful for the privilege of serving alongside such remarkable and committed team members, and for the trust that our patients and the communities we serve place in us every day. The opportunity at Vanderbilt Health and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is unique and compelling, and I am honored to have been asked to serve in this role.” 

To ensure stability for Michigan Medicine and sustain momentum for its strategic priorities, Miller has agreed to remain in his leadership position until Dec. 1, 2026, to assist in a thoughtful and smooth transition, President Grasso said.      

About Michigan Medicine 

At Michigan Medicine, we advance health to serve Michigan and the world. We pursue excellence every day in our 12 hospitals and hundreds of clinics statewide, as well as educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists in our U-M Medical School. Michigan Medicine includes U-M Medical School and University of Michigan Health, which includes C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Health-West, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research awards of more than $800 million. 

 More information is available at www.michiganmedicine.org