Leadership Roles Across Harvard and Mt. Sinai Medical Center

In the dynamic world of modern medicine, effective leadership is essential for enhancing clinical quality, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of healthcare education. Dr. Erez Dayan exemplifies this rare combination of visionary leadership and hands-on expertise. His influential roles at both Harvard University and Mt. Sinai Medical Center have not only impacted institutional policy and patient outcomes but have also inspired the next generation of physicians.

From mentoring pre-med students at one of the world’s most prestigious universities to implementing cutting-edge surgical quality initiatives at a major medical center, Dr. Dayan's leadership journey reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, clinical integrity, and patient-centered care.

Mentoring Future Physicians at Harvard University

Between 2016 and 2018, Dr. Erez Dayan served as Senior Pre-Medical Advisor at Harvard University, guiding aspiring doctors at one of the most competitive academic institutions globally. His role extended far beyond basic advising—it was a mentorship that combined career planning, academic support, and real-world medical insights. Dr. Dayan leveraged his experience as a surgeon and leader to help students understand the practical and ethical responsibilities of a medical career. He provided tailored guidance to students preparing for the MCAT, medical school interviews, and clinical exposure. In doing so, he helped bridge the gap between classroom theory and the human side of healthcare, ensuring students entered medical school with both knowledge and maturity.

By encouraging critical thinking, ethical awareness, and patient empathy, Dr. Dayan contributed to shaping well-rounded future physicians who are not only academically prepared but also morally grounded.

Leadership at Mt. Sinai Medical Center: Driving Quality and Innovation

Prior to his tenure at Harvard, Dr. Dayan held a series of high-impact leadership roles at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, where he drove advancements in clinical research, surgical safety, and healthcare communication.

From 2011 to 2012, he was a Board Member of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center Medical Board, participating in high-level strategic decisions regarding patient care, institutional policies, and medical ethics. His involvement helped shape the broader clinical framework that supported evidence-based practices and patient-first care models.

From 2013 to 2015, Dr. Dayan served as Chair of the Clinical Research Committee, overseeing the review and approval of research protocols. His leadership ensured all projects adhered to rigorous scientific and ethical standards. Under his guidance, the committee promoted translational research that directly improved patient outcomes and pushed the boundaries of what modern surgery could achieve.

Simultaneously, he chaired two critical hospital committees: the Surgical Quality Initiative Committee and the Surgical Handoff Committee (2014–2015). These roles focused on minimizing medical errors, standardizing surgical procedures, and improving team communication.

As Chair of the Surgical Quality Initiative Committee, Dr. Dayan spearheaded data-driven improvements in surgical performance. This included monitoring key performance indicators, reviewing patient outcomes, and implementing corrective measures when necessary. His work helped create a culture of continuous quality improvement among surgical teams.

In the Surgical Handoff Committee, Dr. Dayan addressed one of the most common yet critical gaps in surgical care: communication during patient transfers. By establishing structured handoff protocols, he reduced the risk of miscommunication-related errors and promoted safer, more efficient transitions between teams. His solutions are now considered best practices in numerous hospital settings.

Bridging Clinical and Academic Excellence

What sets Dr. Erez Dayan apart is his ability to seamlessly integrate academic mentorship with clinical leadership. Whether advising Harvard undergraduates or leading hospital initiatives at Mt. Sinai, his work is grounded in a holistic vision of healthcare: one that values innovation, accountability, and compassion in equal measure.

His contributions in both settings illustrate a coherent and strategic approach to medicine. While many professionals excel in either education or clinical practice, Dr. Dayan thrives in both. His dual influence has helped nurture talent at the student level while simultaneously improving care delivery systems for real-world patients.

Dr. Dayan’s leadership legacy is built on trust, collaboration, and an unrelenting drive to elevate standards. His ability to lead committees, inspire students, and implement tangible improvements has earned him deep respect among peers, faculty, and patients alike. Through his roles, he has championed ethical research, advanced surgical quality, and mentored the doctors of tomorrow. His efforts continue to influence clinical protocols, research priorities, and educational frameworks, setting a benchmark for what it means to be a physician-leader in the 21st century.

Conclusion

In the complex ecosystem of healthcare, where decisions made in the classroom and the operating room can affect countless lives, leaders like Dr. Erez Dayan play an indispensable role. From Harvard to Mt. Sinai, his work underscores the power of purposeful leadership in advancing not only medical science but also the people and processes behind it. Dr. Dayan’s journey serves as a model for how physicians can—and should—leverage their expertise to improve systems, mentor future leaders, and always put patient care at the center of every decision. His story is not just one of personal success but of lasting institutional and societal impact.