Department of Medicine Archive

April 9, 2026

How robotic bronchoscopy helped a Georgia man avoid unnecessary lung surgery

Oncologist Mohamed Shanshal, MD, said robotic bronchoscopy significantly improves getting patients the appropriate treatment as soon as possible, reducing their anxiety and improving care.

By Jill Clendening
April 8, 2026

Adding steps offsets risk of chronic disease: Study

Using Fitbits, researchers set out to discover how many additional steps patients need to reduce risks of chronic disease.

By Matt Batcheldor
April 2, 2026

Study identifies potential noninvasive blood marker for Crohn’s disease activity

One immune cell signaling molecule was increased in active versus inactive Crohn’s disease in both endoscopic and histologic activity assessments, suggesting it could serve as a potential noninvasive marker of disease activity.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 26, 2026

Six Vanderbilt faculty named honorary fellows of prestigious scientific society

The 2025 fellows have been invited to the annual AAAS Fellows Forum May 29 in Washington, D.C.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
March 24, 2026

Too much dietary salt linked to new cases of heart failure

Even modest reductions in salt consumption could reduce the burden of heart failure in high-risk populations.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
March 20, 2026

Precancerous blood disorder raises risk of inflammatory heart disease

New study suggests that treating patients for CHIP (clonal growth of precancerous blood cells) could reduce their risk of potentially life-threatening heart inflammation.

By Bill Snyder
March 18, 2026

Vanderbilt Health uses novel robotic device to place central lines in FDA trial  

A Chattanooga patient says she’s feeling great after becoming the first to receive the robotic‑assisted central line in Nashville.
By Matt Batcheldor
March 13, 2026

Jonathan Kropski appointed director of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Kropski is a physician-scientist whose research has helped advance the understanding and potential treatment of interstitial lung disease.
By Bill Snyder
February 27, 2026

Demographic and histologic factors influence risk of colon polyp recurrence

Vanderbilt Health study supports shift toward dynamic surveillance that extends monitoring for patients with specific demographic and histologic risk profiles.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 27, 2026

‘Kindlins’ are a key to kidney formation

Kindlins regulate cell signaling during the formation of ureteric buds, a key step in the development of the kidneys’ urine collection system.
By Bill Snyder
February 25, 2026

Patients with atrial fibrillation face higher bleeding risks when treated with 2 common medications

While diltiazem remains an effective option for heart rate control in selected patients, bleeding risk posed by anticoagulants should be considered.
By Jake Lowary
February 25, 2026

Billy Hudson named 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient

Leaders in government, business, military, media and technology will be honored with the prestigious Ellis Island Medals of Honor on May 16 during gala on Ellis Island.
By Craig Boerner and Bill Snyder
February 24, 2026

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine ranks seventh in NIH support of disease-fighting research

Six clinical departments and two basic science departments at VUSM ranked in the top 10 among medical school departments nationwide in fiscal year 2025.  
By Bill Snyder