Health care professionals throughout the United States are encouraging patients and their families to document their preferences related to their health care during an awareness campaign known as National Healthcare Decisions Day, celebrated on Tuesday, April 16. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is hosting several events for employees to promote the importance of completing an advance directive for health care.

Joseph “Jay” Smith Jr., MD, professor of Urologic Surgery, has been awarded the 2019 Willet F. Whitmore Jr. Award and Lectureship from the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO).

Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer greatly increases odds of survival, but its symptoms can be subtle or mimic viral infections, so Vanderbilt Health offers a free screening annually.

J. Michael Gaziano, MD, MPH, an internationally recognized chronic disease epidemiologist, will deliver the 15th annual Grant R. Wilkinson Distinguished Lectureship in Clinical Pharmacology on Thursday, April 11.

Legendary vocal group Rascal Flatts was honored with a star on the Walk of Champions at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for the band’s longtime commitment to patients and families. Presenting the award were representatives from Live Nation and Children’s Hospital.

Those attending Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Women’s History Month panel on March 27 were schooled on the importance of risk taking, mentoring, self-care and how to advance in historically male-dominated fields such as information technology and supply chain management.