The Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences is happy to share that Lauren Rankin, JD, will be joining as our new Chief Business Officer in April. She will succeed Richard Pierce, MBA, CMPE, who retired in July 2022, and Kate Gibson, CPA, Associate Director, Academic, Research and Professional Enterprise, who has been serving as Interim CBO since Pierce’s departure.
“I am very excited to be joining the department,” Rankin says. “VUMC is renowned for its academic and clinical excellence, and the Department of Radiology is at the forefront of fostering innovation and change in healthcare. I look forward to working with a collegial team focused on developing solutions to improve the lives of patients.
Rankin joins us from the Department of Radiology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she served at the Executive Administrator, providing strategic decision-making, policy development and implementation for the institution’s academic radiology practice. At UPMC, she worked with a team of more than 200 clinical and research faculty. “I’m thrilled that Lauren will be leading our team,” Kate Gibson says. “She has successfully worked through several challenging opportunities that are similar to the ones we are facing here at VUMC. She will be an incredible asset to the department as we navigate these unchartered territories.”
“We are delighted to have recruited Lauren Rankin to Vanderbilt Radiology,” says Reed Omary, MD, MS, Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor and Chair. “Her experience, leadership style, and core values all align perfectly with the culture of our department. Also, I would like to express deep gratitude for the leadership and dedication of Kate Gibson for serving in the interim role. She stepped up during a time of rapid change for our department, Medical Center, and the healthcare industry everywhere.”
Rankin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and her Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law.
She began her career at UPMC within contract administration, providing physician employment contracting support to clinical departments across the system, including radiology. Next, Rankin transitioned to Highmark Health, where she facilitated provider contracting with the health plan in compliance with all Department of Health and Pennsylvania Insurance Department requirements. In 2014, she returned to UPMC as the Director of Operations within the Department of Radiology, where she was promoted to Division Administrator, and most recently, Executive Administrator.
In 2019, Rankin completed the Radiology Management Program through the Association of University Radiologists. She was nominated for the UPMC Award for Commitment & Excellence in Service, which is awarded to fewer than 1% of staff each year. Rankin has also served on system-wide committees, including the Physician Services Leadership Retreat Committee, and was responsible for the development of an annual retreat designed to empower and engage leaders across the system.
