(photo illustration by Diana Duren)
Patient Spotlight

On a spring night in 1987, teenager Mike Harper was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center pinned to a car seat with a fence post through his body. Here is one of the most amazing stories of survival in the history of VUMC.

Mike doesn’t remember the names of all the people who took care of him while he was at VUMC so long ago, but he does have a message for any of them who read this.
By Wayne Wood

John Sergent retires after providing a legacy of leadership and excellence
By Wayne Wood
Pediatrics

VUMC researchers report the number of children with autism in Tennessee has doubled in the past decade
By Danny Bonvissuto
Shannon Renegar, a CT technologist, poses for a photo at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Lebanon, Tennessee. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

Radiology, CPiAH launch virtual CT technologist training program
By Holly Fletcher
Business Innovation

VHAN celebrates 2024 successes, looks forward to further improvement initiatives
By Matt Batcheldor

News Releases

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Neurodevelopmental care initiative supports infants and young children exposed to opioids in utero

SHINE program offers neurodevelopmental care embedded within a medical home for infants and young children with neonatal opioid exposures.

By Jessica Pasley

$4.1 million grant awarded to study unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions 

Antibiotic prescriptions handed out in unplanned care spaces contribute to antimicrobial resistance, especially if they are not necessary to treat infections.

By Evan Dorian
After being diagnosed with severe preeclampsia thanks to a blood pressure check at the 2024 Celebration of Motherhood, Jamye and Austin Willé spent a month in VUH and 89 days in the NICU at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt with their daughter, Akemi.

Celebration of Motherhood was a life-changing experience for one expectant mother and her baby

The community event on Saturday, April 12, celebrates the courage and beauty of motherhood.

By Danny Bonvissuto
Each room of the new space at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt allows for rooming-in options for families seeking overnight accommodations. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Final floor’s opening completes expansion of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Monroe Carell now has a footprint of more than 1 million square feet and 363 beds, making it the largest pediatric hospital in Tennessee.

By Christina Echegaray

Neurodevelopmental care initiative supports infants and young children exposed to opioids in utero

SHINE program offers neurodevelopmental care embedded within a medical home for infants and young children with neonatal opioid exposures.

By Jessica Pasley

$4.1 million grant awarded to study unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions 

Antibiotic prescriptions handed out in unplanned care spaces contribute to antimicrobial resistance, especially if they are not necessary to treat infections.

By Evan Dorian
After being diagnosed with severe preeclampsia thanks to a blood pressure check at the 2024 Celebration of Motherhood, Jamye and Austin Willé spent a month in VUH and 89 days in the NICU at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt with their daughter, Akemi.

Celebration of Motherhood was a life-changing experience for one expectant mother and her baby

The community event on Saturday, April 12, celebrates the courage and beauty of motherhood.

By Danny Bonvissuto
Each room of the new space at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt allows for rooming-in options for families seeking overnight accommodations. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Final floor’s opening completes expansion of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Monroe Carell now has a footprint of more than 1 million square feet and 363 beds, making it the largest pediatric hospital in Tennessee.

By Christina Echegaray
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Explore VUSM’s pioneering history

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt turns 20🎉

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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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
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

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

Juan Carlos Salazar named chair of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

By John Howser
Janet Cross, MEd, CCLS, CPXP, right, with Med Rush, MD, at a recent event celebrating Cross’ career. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Janet Cross retiring from Vanderbilt after four decades of attending to children’s psychological, emotional and developmental needs

By Christina Echegaray

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She devoted every second to saving my daughter’s life, and she did so with grace, love and a smile.’

By Kylie Avery
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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(iStock image)

Study provides guidance on immunotherapy-related, chronic skin reactions 

Researchers recommended long-term follow-up for patients by dermatologists familiar with cirAEs and consideration of corticosteroid-sparing treatment options.

By Tom Wilemon
From left, Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD; Research Staff Award recipients Sandra Yoder, MLS, SCYM, Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP, and Prashant Singh, MS; and John Kuriyan, PhD. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Research Staff Awards honor three who drive research in the School of Medicine

“Research often begins with inquiring minds asking deep questions,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD. “But making discoveries requires a team effort.”

By Bill Snyder

A link between bacterial infection and colorectal cancer: study

Understanding factors that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer could point to new targets for treating the disease at earlier stages, when survival rates are highest.

By Leigh MacMillan
Combining clinical expertise and trial design, David Charles, MD, and Mallory Hacker, PhD, MSCI, are ready to undertake a groundbreaking study on treatment for Parkinson’s. (photo by Donn Jones)

Vanderbilt neurology research duo shares details of new clinical trial that would take aim at slowing or stopping the progression of Parkinson’s disease 

Parkinson’s is best known for manifesting with a tremor, but patients may have up to four “cardinal features” that include muscle rigidity, slowing of movements and balance problems.

By Evan Dorian
(iStock image)

Study provides guidance on immunotherapy-related, chronic skin reactions 

Researchers recommended long-term follow-up for patients by dermatologists familiar with cirAEs and consideration of corticosteroid-sparing treatment options.

By Tom Wilemon
From left, Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD; Research Staff Award recipients Sandra Yoder, MLS, SCYM, Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP, and Prashant Singh, MS; and John Kuriyan, PhD. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Research Staff Awards honor three who drive research in the School of Medicine

“Research often begins with inquiring minds asking deep questions,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD. “But making discoveries requires a team effort.”

By Bill Snyder

A link between bacterial infection and colorectal cancer: study

Understanding factors that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer could point to new targets for treating the disease at earlier stages, when survival rates are highest.

By Leigh MacMillan
Combining clinical expertise and trial design, David Charles, MD, and Mallory Hacker, PhD, MSCI, are ready to undertake a groundbreaking study on treatment for Parkinson’s. (photo by Donn Jones)

Vanderbilt neurology research duo shares details of new clinical trial that would take aim at slowing or stopping the progression of Parkinson’s disease 

Parkinson’s is best known for manifesting with a tremor, but patients may have up to four “cardinal features” that include muscle rigidity, slowing of movements and balance problems.

By Evan Dorian
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Community & Giving

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James W. “Jim” Ayers

VUMC mourns the passing of noted businessman and philanthropist Jim Ayers

Mr. Ayers and his wife, Janet, have been a major philanthropic force in all of Tennessee.

By Bill Snyder
Jimmy Roberts, left, suffered a traumatic brain injury that dramatically altered his life. Now, his wife Amy Roberts, standing beside him, is serving on a new advisory group to help guide scientific investigations — the LIved experience advisory board for Brain injury ReseArch or LIBRA.

Advisory board formed to guide research, care for individuals with brain dysfunction

The board is a partnership between the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee and VUMC’s Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center.

By Jill Clendening

$5 million gift from Springer-Lu Family Foundation to support VUMC’s Aspirnaut program

Aspirnaut is a K-20 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) pipeline that supports immersive summer research experiences for talented high school and undergraduate students.

By Sarah Wolf
Martha Shepherd, DO, MPH, medical director, Vanderbilt Health at MNPS, and David Hines, MNPS executive director of Benefits, helped design and oversee cost-saving wellness benefits for MNPS teachers. (photo by Donn Jones)

Metro Nashville Public Schools’ culture of wellness bolsters employee health, cuts costs

The MNPS Certificated Employee Health Plan covers 6,500 in collaboration with Vanderbilt Health active teachers plus 11,500 retirees and dependents.

By Bill Snyder
James W. “Jim” Ayers

VUMC mourns the passing of noted businessman and philanthropist Jim Ayers

Mr. Ayers and his wife, Janet, have been a major philanthropic force in all of Tennessee.

By Bill Snyder
Jimmy Roberts, left, suffered a traumatic brain injury that dramatically altered his life. Now, his wife Amy Roberts, standing beside him, is serving on a new advisory group to help guide scientific investigations — the LIved experience advisory board for Brain injury ReseArch or LIBRA.

Advisory board formed to guide research, care for individuals with brain dysfunction

The board is a partnership between the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee and VUMC’s Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center.

By Jill Clendening

$5 million gift from Springer-Lu Family Foundation to support VUMC’s Aspirnaut program

Aspirnaut is a K-20 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) pipeline that supports immersive summer research experiences for talented high school and undergraduate students.

By Sarah Wolf
Martha Shepherd, DO, MPH, medical director, Vanderbilt Health at MNPS, and David Hines, MNPS executive director of Benefits, helped design and oversee cost-saving wellness benefits for MNPS teachers. (photo by Donn Jones)

Metro Nashville Public Schools’ culture of wellness bolsters employee health, cuts costs

The MNPS Certificated Employee Health Plan covers 6,500 in collaboration with Vanderbilt Health active teachers plus 11,500 retirees and dependents.

By Bill Snyder
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Tech & Health

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Where are all the Alzheimer’s drugs?

A new study will use innovative methods developed at VUMC to look for drugs already approved for other uses that could potentially be repurposed to treat Alzheimer’s.

By Paul Govern

VUMC to develop AI technology for therapeutic antibody discovery

The approach will address “bottlenecks” that slow the traditional antibody discovery process, and it aims to make it possible to generate monoclonal antibody therapies against any target of interest.

By Leigh MacMillan

Team finds a better way to identify newborns at risk for opioid withdrawal

By 2017, on the back of the opioid crisis, the rate of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in the U.S. was estimated to have reached 7.3 per 1000 deliveries. Meanwhile, many newborns exposed to opioids in utero never develop the syndrome and must undergo needless monitoring in the hospital after birth.

By Paul Govern

Digital pathology aims to unlock secrets hidden in tissue samples

The pilot project, which is expected to digitize 500,000 slides over three years, aims to open avenues for research, assist with access to whole-slide images for education and clinical meetings (of tumor boards, for example), and facilitate planning for the implementation of digital pathology for diagnostic purposes. 

By Leigh MacMillan (video by Erin O. Smith and Donn Jones)

Where are all the Alzheimer’s drugs?

A new study will use innovative methods developed at VUMC to look for drugs already approved for other uses that could potentially be repurposed to treat Alzheimer’s.

By Paul Govern

VUMC to develop AI technology for therapeutic antibody discovery

The approach will address “bottlenecks” that slow the traditional antibody discovery process, and it aims to make it possible to generate monoclonal antibody therapies against any target of interest.

By Leigh MacMillan

Team finds a better way to identify newborns at risk for opioid withdrawal

By 2017, on the back of the opioid crisis, the rate of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in the U.S. was estimated to have reached 7.3 per 1000 deliveries. Meanwhile, many newborns exposed to opioids in utero never develop the syndrome and must undergo needless monitoring in the hospital after birth.

By Paul Govern

Digital pathology aims to unlock secrets hidden in tissue samples

The pilot project, which is expected to digitize 500,000 slides over three years, aims to open avenues for research, assist with access to whole-slide images for education and clinical meetings (of tumor boards, for example), and facilitate planning for the implementation of digital pathology for diagnostic purposes. 

By Leigh MacMillan (video by Erin O. Smith and Donn Jones)
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