Health care, higher education veteran Quincy Byrdsong appointed vice provost for health affairs
Lipscomb's health sciences programs are poised to continue to grow on strong foundation.
Kim Chaudoin |
Dr. Quincy Byrdsong, a veteran health care and higher education leader, has been appointed vice provost for health affairs at Lipscomb University, W. Craig Bledsoe, Lipscomb provost, announced.
For more than 25 years, Byrdsong has served in various leadership roles at health systems and medical schools and universities across the country. In his new role at Lipscomb, Byrdsong oversees the university’s health science programs, provides vision for the institution’s growth in these areas and engages more collaboratively with other health care entities in the community, Bledsoe said. He began his post Oct. 1.
Dr. Quincy Byrdsong
“Dr. Byrdsong brings a wealth of experience not only from the health care education perspective but also from the viewpoint of health systems organizations. His expertise coupled with his innovative and strategic vision will broaden our leadership in this field in our community and will continue to build on Lipscomb’s strong foundation in providing quality health care education and preparing students at the highest level to be leaders in their professions,” said Bledsoe.
In the last decade, Lipscomb’s health sciences programs have grown exponentially both in academic programs and facilities. Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences offers undergraduate programs in dietetics, exercise science, fitness and sports studies, food systems management, health and physical education, nursing, sports management; master’s programs in exercise and nutrition science, health care informatics; a School of Physician Assistant Studies; a graduate dietetic internship and a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. This semester, more than 700 students are currently majoring in or enrolled in programs housed in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
A native Nashvillian, Byrdsong said he looks forward to this role Lipscomb.
“I am extremely excited about returning to my hometown and to join the Lipscomb family not only to integrate Christian faith and practice with academic excellence but also to prepare future health care professionals for their careers and their lives,” said Byrdsong. “When people ask me why Lipscomb and why now, I say because it’s Lipscomb and because it is time. As Nashville solidifies its position as a health care capital, Lipscomb is poised to advance the health care mission of this region as a strategic academic partner. My vision is to first meet the needs of students but to also meet the workforce and industry needs in Nashville, the nation and around the globe.”
When people ask me why Lipscomb and why now, I say because it’s Lipscomb and because it is time. As Nashville solidifies its position as a health care capital, Lipscomb is poised to advance the health care mission of this region as a strategic academic partner. My vision is to first meet the needs of students but to also meet the workforce and industry needs in Nashville, the nation and around the globe. — Quincy Byrdsong
Previously, Byrdsong was associate vice president for research and administration at the WellStar Research Institute and WellStar Health System in Atlanta, where he provided strategic vision, oversaw research operations and compliance, and developed research-academic partnerships for the organization.
He has extensive experience in higher education including serving as vice president for academic planning and strategic initiatives at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia; vice president for clinical research administration and compliance and director of clinical trials at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System; associate vice president for health sciences, strategic initiatives and engagement and associate vice president for health sciences, academic and research affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University; chief of staff and vice president for academic administration at Morehouse School of Medicine; administrative program director for clinical and translational research - School of Medicine and administrative director of the RCMI Clinical Research Infrastructure Initiative at Meharry Medical College, and research services consultant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Byrdsong began his career as a biology and chemistry teacher in Williamson County (Tennessee) Schools.
Byrdsong is passionate about health sciences education because of its holistic reach and potential impact.
“On the surface, health care as an industry appears to focus only on an individual’s physical health,” he explained. “But when you combine it with education, one’s view broadens to look at the overall wellbeing and health of communities and populations. As we educate students who are passionate about health sciences and are preparing them to be on the front lines attending to public health and part of the workforce, it’s purposeful and humbling work. It’s the best profession in the world. It’s truly selfless and through this work we serve humanity at the highest level.”
A graduate of Nashville’s Hume Fogg High School, Byrdsong holds an Ed.D. from Tennessee State University, a Master of Science in Teaching from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Currently, Byrdsong and his family are members of the Simpson Street Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia, where he serves as the Education Minister and Director of K-12 Bible Studies.