Christina Echegaray

After 47 years as a pediatric endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Jennifer Najjar is reflecting on her life of work, highlighting moments of pride and gratitude for her patients and colleagues, and relishing in her ability to practice medicine while also training the next generation of pediatric doctors.

As a governor, Huang will work to support the professional life cycle of its members and be a voice for children with surgical problems, with an intentional focus on areas in which the voice of a pediatric surgeon is especially effective. 

The program is targeted to rising women at the equivalent of the associate or full professor level who are established experts in their domain. Participants have a track record of achievement in clinical program development and aspire to lead at the executive level.

Seven years ago, asking questions was not possible. Ivan, who is nonverbal and nonmobile, had no way to communicate. What he was thinking, feeling or wanting was always a “best guess” for his mom.

The mission of the ATS is to promote the respiratory health of children and adolescents and to improve the care of children with respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy.

Until 2004, Nashville was the only city among the top 25 in the nation that didn’t have a freestanding hospital dedicated to serving children and their families.