Leadership Transitions at CUIMC

When Minouche Shafik left the office of Columbia University president in August of 2024, several leaders at VP&S assumed interim and expanded roles.

Katrina Armstrong, MD, who had been appointed dean of VP&S and CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center in 2022, agreed to serve as interim president of Columbia University. She has retained her roles as CEO of CUIMC, executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences for Columbia University, and Harold and Margaret Hatch Professor of the University.

During Dr. Armstrong’s time as interim president, James McKiernan’93, senior vice dean for clinical affairs at VP&S and CEO of ColumbiaDoctors, is serving as interim dean of VP&S. Prior to his appointment as interim dean, Dr. McKiernan had planned to step down as chair of the Department of Urology; an interim chair has been named while a search is conducted for a new chair. Dr. McKiernan is also the John K. Lattimer Professor of Urology, and a 1993 graduate of VP&S.

Wil McKoy, chief financial officer at CUIMC, and Jennifer Williamson, associate vice dean for research policy and scientific strategy at VP&S, have also assumed larger roles in the management of CUIMC. Mr. McKoy has been appointed interim chief operating officer of CUIMC, overseeing facilities, information technology, campus services, human resources, communications, and community and government affairs. Ms. Williamson has taken on a newly created position as chief of staff for Dr. Arm- strong, supporting initiatives across VP&S and CUIMC. Ms. Williamson will also continue to serve as associate vice dean for research policy and scientific strategy.