Carbon monoxide risks increase during frigid temps; safety tips for home and on the road 

More than 20 patients were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in 24 hours early in the week when power began going out. Emergency physicians anticipate additional cases as temperatures are not expected to reach above freezing this week.

By Jessica Pasley

A grateful patient says ‘thank you’ to Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories

The infection can result from inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which grows in soil throughout Middle Tennessee, especially in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Previously, blood samples had to be sent to a reference lab in Utah.

By Bill Snyder

Experts warn parents about carbon monoxide risks as freezing temps persist: signs, causes

As residents prepare for frigid temperatures, injury and prevention experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt urge parents to be aware of potential dangers.

By Jessica Pasley

Bayer and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to advance treatments for cardiovascular and kidney diseases 

The collaboration will leverage VUMC’s resource platform, including its comprehensive datasets hosted in Vanderbilt’s BioVU collection of DNA and plasma to enable data-driven insights and to accelerate discovery and development.

New donor organ storage method helps reduce rates of severe primary graft dysfunction

Methods such as the cold storage system make it possible to preserve organs for longer after donation, expanding the pool of available organs.

By Matt Batcheldor

Vanderbilt Transplant Center nation’s largest after performing record number of solid organ transplants in 2025

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the largest transplant center in the country by volume, according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing.

By Matt Batcheldor

Vanderbilt Health performs record number of adult and pediatric heart transplants during 2025

As in prior years, the success of Vanderbilt Health’s transplant program is a testament to the greatness of individuals and innovations alike and to the tremendous power of teamwork.

By Matt Batcheldor

Vanderbilt’s Seth Karp testifies about continuing need to increase organs available for transplant

More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant, and about 13 people die each day waiting.

By Matt Batcheldor

Academy for Excellence in Clinical Medicine adds 27 new members

The AECM was formed in 2021 to “honor exemplary clinicians who combine humanism, professionalism and a passion for patient care with a scholarly approach to improving patient health and establish a community of leaders to promote clinical excellence.”

Norman, Pi Beta Phi facility dog, celebrates his 9th birthday and new book

Norman, Vanderbilt Health’s first facility dog, celebrated his 9th birthday recently, surrounded by his biggest fans and human and canine co-workers.

By Danny Bonvissuto

DogTalk Q&A 

Norman, Squid, and Velour get candid with Pi, an honorary member of News & Communications, when she asks very important questions about treats, sleeping, and if they play like regular dogs.

By Pi Bonvissuto

Award program celebrates improvement work across VUMC

The 2025 QSRP Pursuit of Excellence Awards ceremony was combined with celebration of this year’s honorees of Vanderbilt’s Safety Superhero and Good Catch programs.

By Paul Govern

AI gets risk wrong in the clinic

Large language models have become far better than you at solving math problems but may still be bad at employing probabilistic terms in medical contexts.

By Paul Govern

Ketamine fails surgical recovery trial

In a large, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, the pain reliever ketamine posed side effects while failing to aid patient recovery after major surgery.

By Paul Govern

Inflammatory marker could predict response to therapy in bladder pain syndrome

Patients with chronic bladder pain syndrome who had higher baseline levels of the inflammatory molecule IL-1beta had greater overall improvement following cognitive behavioral therapy.

By Georgia Caso

Prescribing with purpose

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study finds unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in hospitalized children and highlights opportunity for antibiotic stewardship.

By Chelsea N. Campbell