Ravi Thadhani Named Cedars-Sinai Medical Dean
Indian-origin physician-scientist Dr. Ravi Thadhani has been appointed to one of the most senior leadership positions at Cedars-Sinai, taking on the newly established roles of executive vice president, chief physician executive, and dean of the Medical Faculty. Beginning September 1, Thadhani will guide the institution’s academic, clinical, and educational initiatives while helping shape its long-term healthcare and research strategy.
In his expanded position, Thadhani will oversee Cedars-Sinai’s integrated clinical and academic operations, bringing together patient care, medical research, and physician education under a unified leadership structure. His responsibilities will include directing department chairs, institute leaders, executive vice deans, vice deans, and chief medical officers across the organization.
Thadhani succeeds Dr. Shlomo Melmed, who spent nearly three decades serving as dean of the Medical Faculty and executive vice president of Medicine and Health Sciences. Following the transition, Melmed will assume the titles of dean emeritus and executive adviser to Cedars-Sinai President and CEO Dr. Peter Slavin.
Announcing the appointment, Slavin praised Thadhani’s extensive experience in academic medicine, organizational leadership, and scientific research. He said Thadhani’s background makes him exceptionally well-qualified to strengthen every aspect of Cedars-Sinai’s mission, from patient care and innovation to medical education and research excellence.
Before receiving this promotion, Thadhani served as executive vice president of Clinical Affairs and chief medical officer for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Health System. In addition to continuing oversight of clinical quality, patient safety, and medical standards, he will now supervise Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University and the Burns and Allen Research Institute, expanding his influence across the organization’s academic programs.
Throughout his distinguished career, Thadhani has held leadership positions at some of the nation’s leading medical institutions. He began at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before previously serving as vice dean for Research and Education at Cedars-Sinai. He later returned to Harvard, where he became professor of medicine, chief academic officer, and dean for Faculty Affairs at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School. In 2022, he joined Emory University as executive vice president for health affairs while also serving in key leadership roles within Emory Healthcare.
An internationally recognized expert in nephrology and preeclampsia, Thadhani has authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific publications in leading medical journals. His research helped develop the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved test designed to predict preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy-related condition. His contributions have earned prestigious honors, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and recognition as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Accepting the appointment, Thadhani said he is honored to lead Cedars-Sinai during an important period of growth and looks forward to advancing its clinical, research, and educational mission alongside its faculty and leadership team.
