January 21, 2022

VUMC in the news, Jan. 25, 2022

A roundup of a few recent stories from the press about Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, continues to be one of the most in-demand sources about COVID-19, influenza and other subjects in the news. The emergence of the omicron variant has especially given him opportunities to speak to reporters and provide information and context. Among the news organizations he has spoken with recently: ABC News, CNN, The Washington Post, People, Medical News Today, Health, Healthline, and Vox.

In addition, Schaffner, Romney Humphries, PhD, director of the Division of Laboratory Medicine and Buddy Creech, MD, director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, were interviewed by the The Los Angeles Times for a story about how COVID test demand is outpacing the supplies/lab capacity nation-wide.

Jennifer Andrews, MD, medical director of the VUMC Blood Bank, was interviewed by numerous news outlets, including CBS News, ABC News, and NPR’s “Here & Now,” for stories about the blood supply shortage.

Cassie Brady, MD, assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics, was quoted in a New York Times story on whether trans teenagers need mental health screening before hormone treatment. The story also features a portrait of Brady shot by New York Times photographer William DeShazer.

Justin Turner, MD, PhD, associate professor of Otolaryngology, was quoted in an NBC News piece about genetic factors in the loss of smell and taste in patients with COVID-19.

Scripps reporter Maya Rodriguez interviewed James Crowe, MD, director, Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, for a national story about preparing for the next pandemic.

Kathryn Edwards, MD, Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics, was quoted by Bloomberg in a story about ICU care for teenagers, most of whom have not have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Wes Ely, MD, MPH, Grant W. Liddle Professor of Medicine, was quoted by Scientific American about COVID patients who require amputation in order to survive.

Conde Nast Traveler reporter Rachel Chang interviewed Peter Rebeiro, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, for a story about upgrading masks as omicron continues to spread.

Wesley Self, MD, associate professor of Emergency Medicine, was quoted in a Healthline piece about when to go to the ER, given that many hospitals are full due to the omicron surge.

Reuters Health reporter Gene Emery interviewed Matthew Semler, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, for a story about a New England Journal of Medicine study on which intravenous fluid is best for patients in the ICU.