Department chairs play a critical role in shaping medical education, advancing research, supporting faculty and preparing the next generation of physicians. As the School of Medicine begins a new academic year, these leaders bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their respective departments while helping advance Meharry’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care and service.
Several new clinical department chairs have joined the School of Medicine in recent months, bringing new perspectives and expertise to their respective disciplines. Together with the Basic Science department chairs and established academic leaders, they form a distinguished team committed to advancing Meharry’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care and service.
Leslie C. Appiah, M.D., FACOG
Chair and Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Executive Director, Center for Women’s Health Research
Dr. Leslie C. Appiah joined Meharry Medical College from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado. A fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologist, she earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, completed her residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and fellowship training at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. Nationally recognized for her expertise in fertility preservation, reproductive health and women’s health research, Dr. Appiah has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 100 invited presentations. She brings a strong record of clinical excellence, research and mentorship to the School of Medicine while advancing opportunities to improve women’s health outcomes.
Melissa Hall, M.D., FAPA
Chair and Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Melissa Hall is a board-certified psychiatrist and fellow of the American Psychiatric Association who joined Meharry Medical College following leadership roles in academic medicine, the Veterans Health Administration and Tennessee’s public mental health system. She earned her medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, completed her adult psychiatry residency at Morehouse School of Medicine and fellowship training in psychosomatic and consultation-liaison psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Hall has dedicated her career to advancing behavioral health, medical education and physician training while mentoring future healthcare professionals. Her leadership strengthens the School of Medicine’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality psychiatric care and preparing the next generation of physicians.
José E. Rodríguez, M.D., FAAFP
Chair and Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Dr. José E. Rodríguez joined Meharry Medical College from the University of Utah Health, where he served as associate vice president for health equity, diversity and inclusion and was a tenured professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College and completed his residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in family medicine and health equity, Dr. Rodríguez has dedicated his career to expanding access to care, mentoring underrepresented faculty and advancing diversity in academic medicine. His leadership strengthens Meharry’s commitment to community-centered care and preparing physicians to serve diverse populations.
Shaneeta Johnson, M.D., MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS
Chair and Professor, Department of Surgery
Dr. Shaneeta Johnson serves as chair and professor of surgery at Meharry Medical College and associate dean of global health partnerships and engagement in the Meharry School of Global Health. She earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, completed her surgical residency at Howard University Hospital and fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. An internationally recognized surgeon, educator and researcher, Dr. Johnson is an expert in global health, robotic and minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery and health equity. She has authored more than 80 manuscripts, book chapters and books, bringing a wealth of clinical, academic and global health leadership to the School of Medicine.
The School of Medicine’s clinical leadership also includes department chairs whose years of service have helped build strong academic departments while preparing generations of physicians.
Sanford H. Barsky, M.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology
Dr. Sanford H. Barsky is chair and professor of pathology, anatomy and cell biology at Meharry Medical College. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed residency training in pathology and laboratory medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital, and completed research training at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Before joining Meharry, he served on the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles. An internationally recognized pathologist and cancer researcher, Dr. Barsky is known for his pioneering work in cancer invasion and metastasis, with a particular focus on inflammatory breast cancer. He has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications and holds numerous U.S. and international patents, bringing decades of scientific leadership and innovation to the School of Medicine.
Xylina D. Bean, M.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Xylina D. Bean serves as chair and professor of pediatrics at Meharry Medical College. She earned her medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and completed both her pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital in Los Angeles. Before returning to Meharry in 2006, she served as chief of neonatology at King/Drew Medical Center and chief executive officer of SHIELDS for Families. Throughout her career, Dr. Bean has been dedicated to advancing pediatric education, strengthening the physician workforce and improving child health. Her leadership continues to support the School of Medicine’s mission of preparing future physicians while expanding excellence in pediatric care, education and service.
Chike M. Nzerue, M.D., MBA, FASN, FACP
Chair and Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Dr. Chike M. Nzerue is chair and professor of the Department of Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College, where he leads the department’s efforts to educate future physicians while advancing patient care and addressing health disparities. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nigeria Medical School, completed his residency in internal medicine at Texas Tech University School of Medicine, completed fellowship training in nephrology at Emory University and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford in England. A nationally recognized nephrologist, Dr. Nzerue’s research focuses on kidney disease in pregnancy, the effects of substance abuse on kidney function and improving the early detection and treatment of hypertension and kidney disease in underserved communities. He also serves on the Metropolitan Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, which governs Nashville General Hospital, helping strengthen collaboration among healthcare, medical education and the communities Meharry serves. His leadership reflects Meharry’s commitment to improving health outcomes through education, research and patient care.
Rounding out the School of Medicine’s leadership are the Basic Science department chairs, whose years of experience and continued service have helped advance education, research and scientific discovery while strengthening Meharry’s longstanding tradition of excellence.
Samuel Evans Adunyah, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Dr. Samuel Evans Adunyah has been a member of the Meharry Medical College faculty since 1991 and currently serves as chair and professor of the Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology. A native of Ghana, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, a master’s degree in biochemistry from Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Louisville before completing postdoctoral fellowship training in cancer research at the University of New Mexico’s Cancer Research and Treatment Center. An internationally recognized scientist, Dr. Adunyah has dedicated his career to advancing cancer research, mentoring future scientists and addressing health disparities. He has played a pivotal role in the Meharry-Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Partnership and continues to lead nationally funded research focused on improving cancer outcomes and expanding opportunities for underrepresented researchers.
Chandravanu Dash, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology
Executive Director, Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research
Dr. Chandravanu Dash serves as chair and professor of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology and executive director of the Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research at Meharry Medical College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Utkal University in India, a master’s degree in biotechnology from Goa University and a doctorate in biotechnology from the National Chemical Laboratory at the University of Pune. Since joining Meharry in 2009, Dr. Dash has advanced through the faculty ranks while providing scientific leadership in HIV/AIDS research, workforce development and health disparities. His research focuses on infectious diseases, molecular biology and translational science, with an emphasis on advancing HIV/AIDS research and improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Through his leadership, mentorship and research, Dr. Dash continues to strengthen Meharry’s biomedical research enterprise and prepare the next generation of scientists.
