Cover Story

Special night supports pediatric rare lung disease research efforts

Webb’s parents, Anne and Steve Puricelli, recently hosted A Night of Harmony for Healing, an evening of live music to raise funds for the Webb of Hope Fund at Monroe Carell.

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Milestone Moments

Features

Passing the Baton

Meg Rush, MD, retires after 41 years; Jamie Phillips named next President of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Sheridan Clawson and her son, Casey, in the NICU at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Pediatrics

New NICU program cares for infants with complex lung and airway diseases

Over the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of patients born preterm with severe lung disease requiring highly specialized care.

Artist rendering of the gym area for the new inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit at Monroe Carell. (courtesy Blair + Mui Dowd Architects)
Pediatrics

Community comes together to bring inpatient rehabilitation to Tennessee children

Currently, children in Tennessee must travel out of state, often hours away from home, to receive the intensive rehabilitation care they need, creating significant hardships and burdens on families.

Pediatrics

First pediatric liver-pancreas dual transplant performed in Tennessee

Phone call changes the life of family whose daughter with cystic fibrosis needed both a liver and pancreas transplant.

Mission of Caring

Pom-poms for a new era: Briceton Latta’s next cystic fibrosis chapter

When Briceton Latta was born in 2006, the average life expectancy of a patient with CF was 37. Today, that expectancy is 65 and beyond.

Pediatrics

Leading with heart: Juan Salazar’s mission to advance pediatric health care for all children

In a recent Q&A interview, Salazar discussed growing up in Colombia and in Washington, D.C.; why he chose to specialize in pediatric infectious diseases — focusing on HIV, Lyme disease, and later syphilis; his early vision for the Department of Pediatrics; and his deep commitment to family.

Canine Clinicians

How the pup-tacular facility dog duo Squid and Velour are helping children and families heal at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

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Patient Niah Carver hugs facility dog Squid. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Facility dog’s calming presence helps young heart patient cope with anxiety

By Jessica Pasley

Sit, stay, heal: Meet the facility dogs of Vanderbilt Health 

By Danny Bonvissuto

Pup-tacular duo Kaylor Glassman and Velour fetch top honors

By Christina Echegaray
Patient Brynlee Pruitt with facility dog Velour and handler, Kaylor Glassman, MS.

Velour Vanderbilt is just what the doctor ordered

By Jessica Pasley
Facility dog Velour with Kaylor Glassman, MS, left, and Meredith George, MEd, CCLS. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt welcomes new facility dog Velour

By Jessica Pasley

Canine Connections

By Jessica Pasley

Growth + Innovation

Brittany Saunders, holding her son, Bennett, talks with Julia Peredo, DNP, APRN, during a telehealth visit. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Mission of Caring

NICU babies are going home weeks earlier thanks to an iPad

The NICU Bridge to Home program is a remote monitoring initiative designed to support families during their transition from the hospital to home.

Margaret Drewes and her son, Everett, at home after recovering from their surgeries.
Pediatrics

Mother and son help form a kidney donation chain that eventually involved six people

The chain is a system where a series of incompatible living donor-recipient pairs are connected, allowing recipients to receive a compatible kidney from an altruistic donor.

Patient Van Sung with her parents, Nathan and Rem Kumthar. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Pediatrics

Medical team uses nontraditional therapy to help give young patient a chance at making it to heart transplant

The team used an Impella, a catheter-based miniature ventricular assist device. It offered the best chance of getting rising eighth-grader Van Sung to transplant.

(photo by Erin O. Smith)
Pediatrics

Rare pancreas diagnosis, rare treatment: Surgeons perform robotic Whipple procedure for pediatric patient

The milestone surgery resulted from collaboration and exemplifies a generational shift taking place in pediatric surgery.

Patient Spotlight

The little girl suddenly stopped walking and talking. How a terrifying diagnosis led to hope and healing.

“My child is a miracle, and it wouldn’t have happened without that team of doctors and the staff.”

Greg and Monica Barton at home with their sons, Carter, left, and triplets Matthew, John and Weston.
Mission of Caring

Turn left for the plan, turn right for the miracle: When triplets couldn’t wait for Nashville

Triplets decided to enter the world at 26 weeks. The plan was Nashville, but it was a left turn and an hour away. Would choosing the local hospital be right?

Patient Zoe Forman, right, and her mother, Heather Rossomme, back home in Alabama after Zoe’s surgery.
Pediatrics

Quick action to treat young dancer’s rare heart condition a testament to what multidisciplinary teams can do

Bystanders assumed the healthy teen — who has danced for nine years, six of those competitively — was overheated or exhausted. Conscious, though unresponsive to questions, Zoe quickly worsened.

Research + Funding

The Puricelli family hosted A Night of Harmony for Healing to raise funds for the Webb of Hope Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Pictured here, from left, are Eleanor, Anne, Charlotte, Webb and Steve Puricelli. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
Pediatrics

Special night supports pediatric rare lung disease research efforts

Webb’s parents, Anne and Steve Puricelli, recently hosted A Night of Harmony for Healing, an evening of live music to raise funds for the Webb of Hope Fund at Monroe Carell.

Bill Russell, MD, left, with patient and trial participant Spencer Mannahan and his father, Zach. (photo by Evan Dorian)

Milestone in VUMC-affiliated diabetes screening and research program underscores impact of clinical trials

Screening and clinical trials are further advancing research to develop therapies that delay or prevent the progression to clinical disease in people at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes.

Country music star Kelsea Ballerini talks with patients during her visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Donn Jones)
Pediatrics

Country music star Kelsea Ballerini donates $100,000 to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and makes special appearance to visit patients and families

The gift, provided through Ballerini’s Feel Your Way Through Charitable Fund, will benefit the hospital’s efforts to keep the children of Tennessee and beyond safe.

Scott and Sandi Borchetta. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Label Group
Pediatrics

$5 million gift from Scott and Sandi Borchetta to support NICU program

Longtime friends of Monroe Carell, the Borchettas’ latest gift builds on their ongoing support of the hospital’s NICU services.

Kix Brooks. (photo by Tausha Dickinson)
Pediatrics

Kix Brooks honored with star on Walk of Champions at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

For over two decades Brooks and his wife, Barbara, have donated their time and resources to Monroe Carell.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels Impact Award

Hyundai Hope on Wheels has provided over $2 million to Monroe Carell researchers since 2007.

More from 2025 Hope Year in Review

Mission Moment

Thoughts on Hope for 2025 Year in Review

The following thoughts on hope from now retired President Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, and current President Jamie Phillips, MHA, FACHE, reflect a meaningful transition in hospital leadership and reflect on recent accomplishments while looking toward the future.

Each room of the new space at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt allows for rooming-in options for families seeking overnight accommodations. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Pediatrics

Final floor’s opening completes expansion of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Monroe Carell now has a footprint of more than 1 million square feet and 363 beds, making it the largest pediatric hospital in Tennessee.

Recognitions and Awards

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt continues to be recognized as a top hospital nationwide

It’s amazing how generosity can build so much more than a hospital.

We’re proud to have cared for children at this very special place in the heart of Nashville for more than two decades. Impacting the lives of children and their families from around the country with the care, research and innovation that only we can provide is our greatest mission.

To everyone who has donated, thank you. Because you didn’t just build a hospital. You made a difference.

Give now