Lung transplant patient Michelle Ankele-Yamashita. (photo by Erin O. Smith) Michelle Ankele-Yamashita poses for a portrait in The Vanderbilt Clinic on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Ankele-Yamashita, a patient from Hawaii, underwent a lung transplant at VUMC in February after being on ECMO for months.
Transplant

Transplant patient’s long journey brings her from the Aloha State to the Volunteer State

She was turned down by multiple transplant centers between Honolulu and Nashville, deemed too sick, before the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program accepted her as a patient.
By Matt Batcheldor
Lawrence (Larry) Wolfe, MD, and his wife, Sarah (Sally) Wolfe.

Bequest from Wolfe family establishes endowed endocrinology fellowship
By Jill Clendening
Transplant

Vanderbilt Liver Transplant Service renamed in honor of C. Wright Pinson
By Matt Batcheldor

Shan Foster to be inducted into New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame 
By Doug Campbell
(iStock image)
Cancer

Low blood cell counts drive cancer in explosive blood disorder: study
By Bill Snyder

News Releases

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Adult spina bifida clinic to open in October

There are an estimated 166,000 patients with spina bifida in the US and over 50 percent of them are becoming adults. Spina bifida occurs among 1 in every 2,875 births in the US each year, according to the CDC. There are only 25 clinics in the nation solely dedicated to the care of adult patients with spina bifida.

By Craig Boerner

Data from fluorescence imaging can improve outcomes in head and neck cancer surgery: study 

Research found that using data collected both during surgery and after a tumor’s removal can help guide surgeons in achieving a negative margin in cancer resection.

By Evan Dorian

Brain white matter abnormalities affect cognition and impact Alzheimer’s disease development: study 

Data from more than 4,000 participants reveals link between brain structure and cognitive decline.  

By Stephanie Bryan 

VUMC-led research a step closer to understanding, preventing asthma 

“Findings from this study indicate that children who develop wheezing have different airway characteristics early in life, even before they develop asthma,” said Tina Hartert, MD, MPH.

By Bill Snyder

Adult spina bifida clinic to open in October

There are an estimated 166,000 patients with spina bifida in the US and over 50 percent of them are becoming adults. Spina bifida occurs among 1 in every 2,875 births in the US each year, according to the CDC. There are only 25 clinics in the nation solely dedicated to the care of adult patients with spina bifida.

By Craig Boerner

Data from fluorescence imaging can improve outcomes in head and neck cancer surgery: study 

Research found that using data collected both during surgery and after a tumor’s removal can help guide surgeons in achieving a negative margin in cancer resection.

By Evan Dorian

Brain white matter abnormalities affect cognition and impact Alzheimer’s disease development: study 

Data from more than 4,000 participants reveals link between brain structure and cognitive decline.  

By Stephanie Bryan 

VUMC-led research a step closer to understanding, preventing asthma 

“Findings from this study indicate that children who develop wheezing have different airway characteristics early in life, even before they develop asthma,” said Tina Hartert, MD, MPH.

By Bill Snyder
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Explore VUSM’s pioneering history

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

In 2004, three floors moved out of Vanderbilt University Hospital and into a different building. Demand soared. Now, that building is a 12-floor, 325-bed state-of-the-art hospital, with more beds coming later this year. Middle Tennessee’s first full-service children’s hospital is commemorating its mission of caring for children and their families.

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Picture Perfect Pair: Kangaroo-A-Thon 2025 (slideshow)

By Donn Jones
Scott and Sandi Borchetta. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Label Group

$5 million gift from Scott and Sandi Borchetta to support NICU program

By Christina Echegaray
Christopher Wootten, MD, examines patient Jude Downer during an ear nose and throat visit. (photo by Jessica Pasley)

Implantable device helps young patients with obstructive sleep apnea

By Jessica Pasley
(iStock)

New clinic focuses on pediatric feeding and swallowing issues

By Jessica Pasley
Facility dog Velour with Kaylor Glassman, MS, left, and Meredith George, MEd, CCLS. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt welcomes new facility dog Velour

By Jessica Pasley
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt patient Arlo, joined by his twin brother, Luca, took the ice for the Feb. 27 Hockey Fights Cancer game to drop the puck for Predators’ forward Filip Forsberg, left, and Jets’ center Adam Lowry. (photo by John Russell)

Nashville Predators host second Hockey Fights Cancer night of the season

By Crystal Brownell

Primary Care Autism Team honored for developing new care pathway

By Leigh MacMillan
(photo by Erin O. Smith)

Rare pancreas diagnosis, rare treatment: Surgeons perform robotic Whipple procedure for pediatric patient

By Jessica Pasley

Expanded space enhances care for pediatric cancer patients

By Nancy Humphrey
The Puricelli family hosted A Night of Harmony for Healing to raise funds for the Webb of Hope Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Pictured here, from left, are Eleanor, Anne, Charlotte, Webb and Steve Puricelli. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Special night supports pediatric rare lung disease research efforts

By Sarah Thornton

There goes the sun

By Paul Govern
Pediatric gaming and technology specialist Graden Knapp. (photo by Donn Jones)

Employee ‘levels up’ skills to enhance pediatric hospital experience

By Jessica Pasley
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Research

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From left, graduate student Taylor Nagai, Ela Knapik, MD, senior research scientist Dharmendra Choudhary, PhD, and research assistant Cory Guthrie in Knapik’s lab surrounded by tanks of zebrafish, the model organism that drives their research. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Tiny zebrafish aid discovery of rare, fatal genetic disease

The children were born in Turkey with a smaller-than-normal head size, cataracts, severe developmental delay, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

By Bill Snyder

Study shows sharp increase in appendix cancer for Generation X and millennials 

The findings reveal the need for increased awareness about appendiceal cancer from both clinicians and the public.

By Tom Wilemon
Aimal Khan, MD, with one of the 3D models he created to use during preoperative consultations. (photo by Donn Jones)

Presurgery consults with patients using 3D models improve shared decision-making and reduce anxiety 

The models allowed patients to easily distinguish the ascending colon from the sigmoid colon, along with other parts of the digestive system.

By Tom Wilemon

New study highlights potential boost to brain stimulation therapy through targeted symptom provocation

This is the first large-scale meta-analysis to examine whether deliberately triggering symptoms immediately before administering rTMS enhances treatment outcomes.

By Danny Bonvissuto
From left, graduate student Taylor Nagai, Ela Knapik, MD, senior research scientist Dharmendra Choudhary, PhD, and research assistant Cory Guthrie in Knapik’s lab surrounded by tanks of zebrafish, the model organism that drives their research. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Tiny zebrafish aid discovery of rare, fatal genetic disease

The children were born in Turkey with a smaller-than-normal head size, cataracts, severe developmental delay, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

By Bill Snyder

Study shows sharp increase in appendix cancer for Generation X and millennials 

The findings reveal the need for increased awareness about appendiceal cancer from both clinicians and the public.

By Tom Wilemon
Aimal Khan, MD, with one of the 3D models he created to use during preoperative consultations. (photo by Donn Jones)

Presurgery consults with patients using 3D models improve shared decision-making and reduce anxiety 

The models allowed patients to easily distinguish the ascending colon from the sigmoid colon, along with other parts of the digestive system.

By Tom Wilemon

New study highlights potential boost to brain stimulation therapy through targeted symptom provocation

This is the first large-scale meta-analysis to examine whether deliberately triggering symptoms immediately before administering rTMS enhances treatment outcomes.

By Danny Bonvissuto
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Cancer

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Patient Monroe Peterson inspired the creation of the MVP Challenge to raise funds supporting children’s cancer treatment and research.

The real MVP: Fitness challenge raises funds in honor of 4-year-old cancer patient

The fitness challenge raised funds to support pediatric cancer research, training and care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Sarah Thornton

AI researchers develop new technologies for cancer care  

These new technologies showcase how VUMC researchers are using the power of AI to meet a wide range of medical needs.

By Tom Wilemon

Andreana Holowatyj named ‘40 Under 40 In Cancer’ winner

The awards initiative identifies and recognizes contributions across the field of cancer by rising stars and emerging leaders under the age of 40.

By Tom Wilemon
(iStock image)

Study finds navigational bronchoscopy as effective and safer alternative to transthoracic biopsy for lung nodules  

Each year, millions of lung nodules are detected during routine X-rays or CT scans.

By Craig Boerner and Holly Fletcher 
Patient Monroe Peterson inspired the creation of the MVP Challenge to raise funds supporting children’s cancer treatment and research.

The real MVP: Fitness challenge raises funds in honor of 4-year-old cancer patient

The fitness challenge raised funds to support pediatric cancer research, training and care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Sarah Thornton

AI researchers develop new technologies for cancer care  

These new technologies showcase how VUMC researchers are using the power of AI to meet a wide range of medical needs.

By Tom Wilemon

Andreana Holowatyj named ‘40 Under 40 In Cancer’ winner

The awards initiative identifies and recognizes contributions across the field of cancer by rising stars and emerging leaders under the age of 40.

By Tom Wilemon
(iStock image)

Study finds navigational bronchoscopy as effective and safer alternative to transthoracic biopsy for lung nodules  

Each year, millions of lung nodules are detected during routine X-rays or CT scans.

By Craig Boerner and Holly Fletcher 
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Mission of Caring

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School staff and friends bring graduation joy to hospitalized fifth grader 

To prepare for his graduation ceremony, Carter Williamson had his own goal. He wanted to walk across the stage to accept his diploma. 

By Jessica Pasley

Vanderbilt’s nationally recognized Trauma Center treats amazing array of injuries

On a given day, the Vanderbilt Trauma Center may admit multiple gunshot and motor vehicle accident victims. For 27 years, across nearly 100,000 admissions, the Trauma Center’s physicians, nurses and staff have been treating patients arriving from a region covering 80,000 square miles.

By John Howser

Saved by an angel — in Aldi

Steve Glaeser fell in an Aldi supermarket; a Vanderbilt Health critical care nurse saved his life.

By John Howser
Patient Sekou Toure works on a painting during a Recovery Art Workshop at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Healing Through Expression: Young Adults’ Journey in Recovery Art Workshop (slideshow)

The class was created by a specialty team that works with young adults who have experienced their first hospitalization or episode of psychosis within the past two years.

By Danny Bonvissuto

School staff and friends bring graduation joy to hospitalized fifth grader 

To prepare for his graduation ceremony, Carter Williamson had his own goal. He wanted to walk across the stage to accept his diploma. 

By Jessica Pasley

Vanderbilt’s nationally recognized Trauma Center treats amazing array of injuries

On a given day, the Vanderbilt Trauma Center may admit multiple gunshot and motor vehicle accident victims. For 27 years, across nearly 100,000 admissions, the Trauma Center’s physicians, nurses and staff have been treating patients arriving from a region covering 80,000 square miles.

By John Howser

Saved by an angel — in Aldi

Steve Glaeser fell in an Aldi supermarket; a Vanderbilt Health critical care nurse saved his life.

By John Howser
Patient Sekou Toure works on a painting during a Recovery Art Workshop at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Healing Through Expression: Young Adults’ Journey in Recovery Art Workshop (slideshow)

The class was created by a specialty team that works with young adults who have experienced their first hospitalization or episode of psychosis within the past two years.

By Danny Bonvissuto
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