January 28, 2022

VUMC in the news, Feb. 1, 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: The Washington Post, WebMD, CNN and CNN Travel, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Shape, SELF, Prevention and People.

Todd Rice, MD, associate professor of Medicine, is quoted in an NBC News story about ICUs around the country filling with patients despite the generally less severe infections associated with the omicron variant.

Ellen Wright Clayton, MD, JD, Craig-Weaver Professor of Pediatrics, is quoted in a New York Times story about people who choose to not know about potential genetic diseases to which they are subject.

The Atlantic reporter Katherine Wu interviewed Buddy Creech, MD, director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, for a story about why a three-dose vaccine for young children may work.

ABC News interviewed Justin Turner, MD, PhD., associate professor of Otolaryngology, for a story about how COVID-19 causes people to lose sense of smell. Turner was also quoted, along with Rakesh Chandra, MD, professor of Otolaryngology, in a New York Times story about the health benefits of neti pots for nasal rinsing.