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: Healthline, PolitiFact, Associated Press, (picked up by, among others, The Los Angeles Times), Parade, Washington Times, and CNBC.
NPR national science desk reporter Will Stone interviewed Jennifer Andrews, MD, medical director, Blood Bank, for a story about how the nationwide blood shortage is affecting patient care. The interview was broadcast on that network’s evening news show “All Things Considered.”
Associated Press national reporter Lindsey Tanner interviewed Buddy Creech, MD, director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, for a story about Pfizer’s new data regarding its emergency use authorization request for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years of age.
Allergy/Asthma News online managing editor Richard Gawel interviewed Cosby Stone, MD, instructor in Medicine, Allergy/Immunology, for a story about his study on low-risk penicillin allergy de-labeling. The study showed that clinicians can safely identify and disprove low risk penicillin allergies using an amoxicillin challenge, even in ICU patients who have just recovered from critical illness.
James Nichols, PhD, professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about the pro and cons of doing your own health care at home.
Jim Jackson, PsyD, assistant director of the ICU Recovery Center, was quoted in a Parade article about how to support a family member who has just had a heart attack.