![Featured Image](https://vumc-reporter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/reporter_100804_5.jpg)
These mice, which exhibit the full range of baldness as seen in human alopecia, are helping researchers uncover the genes involved in the disease.
Transplant Center lands URN awards yet again
Vanderbilt Transplant Center has once again topped the list for the United Resources Networks (URN) Client Choice Awards.
The Vanderbilt Center ranked first in two of the three categories in a recent survey of the URN, made up of 98 transplant centers and 247 transplant programs across the nation.
The award program was established in 2000 and Vanderbilt has consistently been recognized.
“We can be very proud of our track record,” said C. Wright Pinson, M.D., director of the Transplant Center and associate vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs.
“The fact that we continue garnering this recognition means we truly are a center of excellence from the clients’ point of view. It’s as a testimony to the transplant staff that provides the excellent service to our patients and the payers. They do great work,” Pinson said.
Categories include administrative ease, communications and lodging assistance.
Vanderbilt was awarded first place for administrative ease and communications at the recent URN Annual Conference in Minneapolis. Pinson and the Transplant Center continue working on lodging assistance through its collaboration with the Hospital Hospitality House.
“This type of award is important to both our patients and our payers,” said Ed Zavala, transplant administrator.
“It is a marker for how good our service is and it’s important to recognize and measure our front line staff, office assistants, nurses, financial counselors and social workers.”
Vanderbilt transplant programs that fall under the URN include: heart (adult and pediatric), liver (adult), kidney (adult and pediatric) and bone marrow/stem cell (adult and pediatric).