Dr. Jim Jirjis

About

Dr. Jim Jirjis was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff for the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) in January 2025. With a career spanning clinical practice, health informatics, data policy, and executive leadership, he has been at the forefront of advancing healthcare interoperability and improving patient care through data-driven innovation.

Leadership Experience & Service

Before joining TVHS, Dr. Jirjis served as Division Director of Data Policy and Standards within the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he led national efforts to strengthen data interoperability and standards across the public health ecosystem. From 2013 to 2023, he served as Chief Health Information Officer for HCA Healthcare, overseeing data quality and governance for the organization’s clinical data enterprise and driving automation of data mapping across HCA’s core domains. He was also HCA’s lead on health IT data policy and served two terms on the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC), where he advised on public health reporting, pharmacy interoperability, and related initiatives.

Professional Focus & Achievements

Dr. Jirjis is a longtime champion of electronic medical record adoption and interoperability in healthcare. Prior to his national and corporate leadership roles, he practiced internal medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), where he also served as Medical Director of Internal Medicine and Chief Health Information Officer. Throughout his career, he has combined clinical expertise with technology innovation, helping shape policies and systems that improve the delivery of patient care nationwide.

Current Role & Responsibilities

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Jirjis supports the executive leadership team at TVHS, helping to guide clinical operations, research initiatives, and health data strategies to enhance care for veterans across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia.

Education & Training