Harold F. Vann Biographical File

Pediatrician Harold F. Vann was one of the most well-known and respected physicians in Clarksville, Tennessee providing care to thousands of patients over his nearly 40-year career. He was born on February 23, 1930, in Dayton, Ohio, son of Hope and Margaret Vann. He spent most of his childhood in Cumberland County, TN and attended David Lipscomb College and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before being accepted to the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis where he graduated with honors in 1954.

After graduation, Dr. Vann completed an internship at City of Memphis Hospitals in 1955 and then served in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he practiced pediatrics attaining the rank of captain. Following his service, he was invited to join the pediatric practice of Dr. Ed Atkinson in Clarksville in 1957, which later became known as the Children’s Clinic. He continued his pediatric training by completing residencies at City of Memphis Hospital (1965–66), including St. Jude, Le Bonheur, and John Gaston hospitals, and at Vanderbilt University (1975–76). His neonatology residency at Vanderbilt was from his desire to ensure that premature and critically ill newborns in Clarksville received specialized care. He later served at Vanderbilt in the role of Clinical Professor of Pediatrics.

In addition to his practice, he served in several administrative and leadership roles including Chief of Staff at Clarksville Memorial Hospital, Vice President and President of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and Medical Director of the Cumberland Pediatric Foundation.

He passed away on April 30, 2025.

Biography adapted from obituary published on the Neal, Tarpley, Parchman, website

https://www.neal-tarpley.com/obituaries/Dr-Harold-F-Vann?obId=42339193