James McKiernan

James McKiernan, MD, the John K. Lattimer Professor of Urology, is the interim executive vice president for Health and Biomedical Sciences, interim CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), and interim dean of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S).

Dr. McKiernan graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a BA in biology and received his MD from VP&S. 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. Dr. McKiernan, who also serves as CEO of ColumbiaDoctors, has a well-regarded clinical practice focused on urologic oncology and particularly on surgical therapy in high-risk patients with bladder and kidney cancers. His research has focused on translational science, including developing novel therapeutics for bladder cancer treatment and investigating comparative effectiveness 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 300 scientific articles and book chapters on urologic cancer and related issues.