First Horizon Elects Vanderbilt Medical Chief to Board

Jeffrey R. Balser, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins the boards of First Horizon Corporation and First Horizon Bank as an independent director.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People

Pale stone and tinted glass office building in a downtown city street under overcast daylight, with a dark flagpole in the foreground. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center president and CEO Jeffrey R. Balser was elected an independent director of First Horizon Corporation and First Horizon Bank, Memphis-based regional bank holding companies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

First Horizon Corporation's board and the First Horizon Bank board elected Jeffrey R. Balser, M.D., Ph.D., as an independent director. Balser is 64 and leads Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which reports 3.5 million patient visits annually.

Why it matters

The appointment adds a major Tennessee healthcare executive to the boards of a regional bank holding company. It places leadership from one of the state's largest health systems in the governance of a Memphis-based financial institution.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center reports more than $9 billion in annual net revenue, 3.5 million patient visits per year, and 2,000 licensed inpatient beds across seven hospitals. The announcement does not disclose Balser's compensation or equity stake in First Horizon.

The players

Jeffrey R. Balser

Balser is a physician and researcher who has led Vanderbilt University Medical Center since 2009 and previously held roles including chair of anesthesiology and chief research officer.

First Horizon Corporation

First Horizon Corporation is the Memphis-based bank holding company that owns First Horizon Bank and operates across the Southeastern United States.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a Nashville-based academic health system that became an independent not-for-profit corporation in 2016.

The details

Balser was elected to both the First Horizon Corporation Board and the First Horizon Bank Board as an independent director. He has led Vanderbilt University Medical Center since 2009, after serving as Dean of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and previously as chair of anesthesiology and chief research officer.

2008-2009: Balser was named Dean of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at Vanderbilt.
2009: Balser became chief executive of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
2016: Vanderbilt University Medical Center separated legally and financially from Vanderbilt University to become an independent not-for-profit corporation.
November 2, 2026: First Horizon announced Balser's election to its boards.

Market Landscape

Vanderbilt University Medical Center became an independent not-for-profit corporation in 2016, separating from Vanderbilt University. Its chief executive joining a regional bank board reflects how large Tennessee health systems now operate as standalone institutions with ties to the state's financial sector.

For Tennessee residents, the appointment changes board composition at First Horizon but does not directly alter banking products or patient services. Patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center see no change from this board election.

The takeaway

Leadership moves at major Tennessee institutions can connect healthcare and banking governance in ways that matter for regional business strategy. Watch board filings for committee assignments that clarify Balser's specific role.