By John Howser

Sahar Takkouche, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism and the director of the Vanderbilt Weight Loss Center in Wilson County, has been named to the role of associate chief medical officer (ACMO) for Wilson and Sumner County regions.

In this role Takkouche will report to Rick W. Wight, MD, chief medical officer and Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs, and will work closely with him related to hospital affairs. She will work closely with Wendy Monaci, MBA, Executive Vice President for Adult Ambulatory Operations, related to ambulatory affairs.

As ACMO for the Wilson and Sumner regions, Takkouche will be broadly responsible for the operational performance and strategy development for clinical practice in all areas involving the care of patients.

“We are excited that Dr. Takkouche is joining the regional ACMO team. She will be an integral part of coordinating our physician efforts in the Wilson and Sumner County region, and I look forward to working with her in this new leadership role,” said Wright.

Takkouche will also be responsible for developing close and collaborative working relationships with the chief of medical staff of Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, Vanderbilt Health Hendersonville, senior leaders across Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and community physicians to ensure the smooth integration of services and the alignment of goals between the organization and regional practices.

“Increased utilization of our regional hospitals and clinics is integral to the growth of our health system. Our staff physicians, and community physicians who are our partners in the success of these facilities, are the driving force for this growth,” said C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer. “I want to welcome Dr. Takkouche to this new role on our leadership team and look forward to her contributions.”

Along with her other responsibilities, Takkouche will work in collaboration with clinical departments and regional administrators to support the growing ambulatory medical staff in the Wilson and Sumner County regions. She will provide oversight for inpatient and outpatient quality improvement initiatives and ensure coordination of efforts between departments and patient care centers. She will also assist with regional strategic planning and help manage community relations with other medical providers and facilities.

An expert in bariatric medicine, Takkouche joined VUMC in 2020. She is board certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine. She is a frequently invited lecturer on topics related to metabolism and weight loss.

“I am truly honored and thrilled to embark on this new role as the associate chief medical officer. It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our organization, and I’m enthusiastic about the positive impact we can make on patient care and health care delivery in our community,” said Takkouche.

With a rich and diverse background in the medical field, Takkouche has had the privilege of working in various health care settings, including the challenging environment of New York City’s ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This experience instilled in me the importance of resilience, adaptability and the unwavering commitment to patient care,” she said.

Takkouche is a nationally recognized bariatric expert, having been featured in publications such as Healthline, AARP, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. These opportunities have allowed her to contribute to the discourse on health care and patient well-being on a broader scale. She remains dedicated to advancing the field.

She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of New York and her medical degree from American University of Antigua-College of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at The Brooklyn Hospital Center with the Ichan School of Medicine. She underwent fellowship training in obesity medicine at Vanderbilt. She is attending Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and will receive a Master of Business Management in the spring of 2024.