Christina Echegaray Archive — Page 1 of 36

Nicole Sibol
October 8, 2026

Nicole Sibol named inaugural Vice President and Chief Pediatric Enterprise Strategy Officer

She will help drive strategic growth and shape the future of pediatric care and programming for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Christina Echegaray
Heart transplant patient Aleah (Sissy) Keasling.
October 7, 2026

First-of-its-kind heart transplant gives Sissy a second chance

The novel technique could help increase the number of donor hearts available to children awaiting transplant and reduce the time they spend waiting.

By Christina Echegaray
Vanderbilt Health performed a record number of solid organ transplants in fiscal year 2026 — 981 lifesaving procedures among its adult and pediatric programs. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 7, 2026

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt leads breakthrough heart recovery method for pediatric transplants

Surgeons reported using the novel technique known as REUP (rapid recovery with extended ultraoxygenated preservation) to transplant five donor hearts in children. Since then, five more children were saved successfully.

By Christina Echegaray
Ian M. Burr, MD, PhD
October 7, 2026

Vanderbilt mourns the loss of pediatrics leader and children’s health advocate Ian Burr

Former Pediatrics department chair and pediatric endocrinologist helped shape generations of children’s health care, research and education at Vanderbilt.

By Christina Echegaray
Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, delivers his annual State of the Department address. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 24, 2026

Building on momentum: Juan Salazar outlines future of Pediatrics in annual address

The address highlighted the department’s continued growth and successes across several mission-critical priorities: people, clinical care, education, research and discovery, and community engagement and advocacy.

By Christina Echegaray
Harold (Bo) Lovvorn III, MD
September 24, 2026

Pediatric surgeon Bo Lovvorn inducted into American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

The aim of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is to recognize and assemble a cadre of renowned master surgeon educators who will work with the ACS Division of Education to advance the science and practice of surgical education and training.

By Christina Echegaray