Meet Our Interim Dean

James McKiernan, MD, the John K. Lattimer Professor of Urology, is the interim dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. McKiernan is also CEO of ColumbiaDoctors, where he leads the growth of the faculty practice and works to meet the future needs of clinicians and patients. Dr. McKiernan engages clinical leadership in strategic planning for ColumbiaDoctors with an emphasis on managing the growth of our regional network to produce greater patient accessibility and a more equitable health care system. 

James McKiernan, MD

Dr. McKiernan graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a BA in biology and received his MD from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his training in urology and general surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, followed by a urologic surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He has previously served in numerous leadership roles at VP&S, including division chief in urological oncology, director of medical education in urology, and chair of the Department of Urology from 2014 to 2024. As founder of VP&S’s Academy of Clinical Excellence, he has worked with the leaders of each of the medical school’s 18 clinical departments.

Dr. McKiernan's clinical practice is focused on urologic oncology and particularly on surgical therapy in high-risk patients with bladder and kidney cancers. His research, funded by NIH and biotechnology industry grants, focuses on developing novel therapeutics for bladder cancer treatment, as well as comparative effectiveness research in urologic oncology. In the management of kidney and bladder cancer, he has special expertise in organ preservation and reconstructive surgery to maximize quality of life. Dr. McKiernan's research has been published in Cancer, Cancer Research, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Journal of Urology, Urologic Oncology, and Urology. He has authored and co-authored more than 220 scientific articles and book chapters on urologic cancer and related issues. He has also served as president-elect of the American Board of Urology.

VP&S was founded in 1767 as the nation’s second medical school. Learn more about VP&S.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CUIMC

At Columbia University Irving Medical Center, we believe that achieving excellence is inextricably linked to striving for the highest standards in diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
Members of the CUIMC community kneeled in silence to show a unified stance against racism.

VP&S History

The medical faculty at King's College was organized in 1767, it was the first institution in the North American Colonies to confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Diploma