Part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center is now an independent, nonprofit health system, after  nearly three years of planning for its separation from Vanderbilt University.

Jeff Balser, M.D., president and CEO of  the system, told the (Nashville) Tennessean that the newfound agility from being independent will help it achieve an “exceedingly bright” future. Dr. Balser  is also dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Dr. Balser said that separating itself from the university makes the system more nimble because it will usually not have the involve the university in an approval process.

With about 20,000 employees, VUMC is the largest employer in Tennessee behind the state government.  Dr. Balser said the number  could grow as the organization looks to expand its research and educational programs.