Richard D. Sinyard
Dr. Sinyard has joined our surgical faculty as Assistant Professor of Surgery this fall. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, as well as Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia. Following this, he completed his Doctor of Medicine from Duke University School of Medicine and Master of Business Administration with focus on Health Sector Management from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business and recognition as an Alpha Omega Alpha member.
Dr. Sinyard trained in General Surgery Residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital with post-doctoral health services focus at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Most recently, he completed his two-year fellowship in Acute Care Surgery (Trauma, Emergency General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care) at Vanderbilt Health. His clinical interests include Diverticulitis, GI Surgery, Hernias, and Robotic Surgery. His Acute Care Surgery clinical focus is at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.
Academic Focus
Dr. Sinyard has built a foundational relationship with the Vanderbilt’s Department of Population Health and its leadership, where he is focused on or leadership & strategic execution of Episodes of Care, provider network management, government payment models (e.g., Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), and financial stewardship of clinical bundle design. To date, he has authored 30 peer-reviewed papers, including leading 7 as first-author, and also includes interests in surgical education, leadership, and coaching.
Memberships, Awards and Honors
Dr. Sinyard is Board Certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, and currently an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Association for Surgery of Trauma, and the Tennessee Medical Society. He received the 2026 Resident Trauma Teaching Award and the 2026 Faculty Teaching Award in Emergency General Surgery.
Education
Medical Degree – Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. 2012-2017
Residency – General Surgery Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 2017-2024
Fellowship – Acute Care Surgery Fellowship, Vanderbilt Health, Nashville, Tennessee, 2024-2026
Administrative Contact:
Vanderbilt Health
Division of Acute Care Surgery
1211 21st Avenue South
Medical Arts Building, Suite 404
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: (615) 936-0695
Fax: (615) 936-0697
Patient Appointments and Clinic:
Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital
Vanderbilt Surgical Specialties
1405 West Baddour Parkway, Suite 105
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 322-2063