James E. Shmerling

Jim Shmerling is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Hospital, Denver. Prior to his current position, he served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (2002-07); Senior Vice President, Methodist Healthcare; President of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee (1995-02); and Le Bonheur’s Chief Operating Officer (1991-95).

Shmerling also served as Associate Director of Hospitals, Indiana University Hospitals, and Administrator, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children (1987-91). His career in children’s hospitals began at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama (1979-87), where he last served as Associate Administrator.

Shmerling holds a B.S. degree in Public Health Education, University of Tennessee; M.S. degree in Hospital and Health Administration, University of Alabama, Birmingham; M.B.A., Samford University, Birmingham; and Ph.D. in Health Administration, Medical University of South Carolina.

Community Affiliations: Fellow, American College of Health Care Executives; Faculty Member, Hospital Administration programs for Washington University, University of Alabama, Birmingham, and Medical College of Virginia; Clinical Faculty Member, Vanderbilt School of Nursing.