R. Osvaldo Navia MD, MBA, Named Inaugural Section Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of R. Osvaldo Navia, MD, MBA, as the inaugural Section Chief of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and the Myrna L. Daniels Chair in Geriatric Medicine in the John W. Deming Department of Medicine. Dr. Navia will assume the role on August 11th, 2025.
Navia brings over two decades of leadership and innovation in geriatric medicine, palliative care, hospice, and hospital medicine. He joins Tulane from West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine, where he served as Division Chief of Geriatrics, Palliative Medicine, and Hospice and held the Grace Kinney Mead Endowed Chair of Geriatrics. During his tenure at WVU, he led transformative programs that expanded access to elder care, developed cutting-edge clinical models, and fostered interprofessional education.
“I am honored to join Tulane University School of Medicine, one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in the United States,” said Navia. “I am committed to advancing the care of older adults and patients with serious illnesses through a modern, dynamic, and compassionate approach. Additionally, I look forward to building upon the legacy of the visionary leaders who have shaped Tulane into a vibrant medical community—one known for excellence in education, deep community engagement, and a strong commitment to research.”
Navia’s visionary leadership has resulted in the development of nationally recognized services, including geriatric-trauma collaborations, telemedicine-based palliative care, neurocognitive and frailty clinics, and the first accredited geriatrics and palliative medicine fellowship programs in the state of West Virginia. He is also a Co-Investigator on several NIH-funded studies related to dementia, rural health equity, and integrated care delivery, and is widely published in journals such as Alzheimer’s & Dementia and The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
“We are excited to launch a new Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine that will be led by Dr. Navia. His innovative leadership in our department and across multiple departments and schools at Tulane will have a transformative impact on elderly care in our region for many years to come,” said Victor Thannickal, MD, Chair of the John W. Deming Department of Medicine.
“Dr. Navia brings an exceptional combination of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and a forward-looking vision that aligns with Tulane’s mission to serve our region through compassionate, high-quality care,” said L. Lee Hamm, MD, Senior Vice President and Dean of Tulane University School of Medicine. “His appointment reflects our commitment to innovation in care for older adults and patients with complex medical needs—both of which are growing priorities in Louisiana and across the nation.”
Navia holds board certifications in Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Hospice Medical Direction. His educational background spans institutions in the U.S. and abroad and includes a Doctor of Medicine from Universidad Mayor de San Francisco Xavier in Bolivia, a residency at New York Medical College, fellowship training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, Harvard certification in Palliative Medicine Education and Practice, and an MBA from WVU with additional executive education from Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and the University of Chicago.
His appointment represents a bold step forward in Tulane’s commitment to advancing care for Louisiana’s rapidly aging population and positioning the university as a leader in geriatrics and palliative care throughout the Gulf South and beyond.
