Daniel Harrington to serve as interim dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

In February, Founding Dean Cynda Ann Johnson announced her intent to retire by the end of the calendar year. A search for her permanent replacement is still in process and is expected to wrap up this spring.

Harrington has been a part of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine since its infancy. When plans for the medical school were announced in 2007, Harrington had just been placed in the role of vice president for academic affairs at Carilion Clinic where he oversaw expansion of the graduate medical education programs with new residency and fellowship programs as well as the establishment of research, professional development, and simulation programs. In addition, he played a major role in the development of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, including the vision for the school’s problem-based learning curriculum.

Since the school’s beginning, Harrington has served in a number of positions with VTCSOM. In 2015, he became vice dean, overseeing the school’s daily operations and supporting the work of the other deans, faculty, and staff, while also overseeing administration of the school in the dean’s absence. Harrington is also professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.

“Dan knows the ins and outs of this school better than anyone and cares deeply about its success and the students, faculty, and employees it serves,” said Johnson. “I can’t think of a better person to lead the school as I retire and the dean search is underway.”

“Dan Harrington has been an integral part of VTCSOM since its inception. His willingness to serve as interim dean is only one of many ways that Dan will continue to support the medical school, Carilion Clinic, and Virginia Tech,” said Cyril Clarke, interim provost of Virginia Tech. “He is the perfect choice to provide a steady hand as we transition to new leadership at the medical school.”

Harrington’s entire career has been in academic medicine. He received his bachelor’s and medical degree from West Virginia University. At the University of Virginia, he was one of the first physicians in the United States to complete a combined residency program in internal medicine and psychiatry. He is board certified in both specialties.

Following residency, Harrington stayed at the University of Virginia, serving on the faculty until 1990 when he moved to Roanoke to establish a psychiatry residency program at Carilion Clinic. He also served as medical director of Carilion Behavioral Health, Carilion Medical Center’s Psychiatric Services, and Carilion Saint Albans Hospital.

In 2014, Harrington received Carilion’s Dr. Robert L.A. Keeley Award for his physician leadership and exemplary service to patients.