Evan Dorian

March 6, 2026

A Clarksville nurse’s delivery became a race against time, and two lives were saved

Ariel Chavis felt everything going wrong as she delivered her daughter. But attentive nurses and surgeons ensured she and her baby made it through. 

By Evan Dorian
March 5, 2026

Multidisciplinary clinic improves care for cleft lip/palate patients

A patient care coordinator now works to ensure that families receive a comprehensive care plan rather than needing to coordinate multiple disparate parts of their child’s treatment on their own.

By Evan Dorian
March 5, 2026

Thyroid cancer ‘atlas’ points to cell types that contribute to disease progression

A multi-institutional study led by Vanderbilt Health investigators provides a spatial understanding of thyroid cancer evolution and identifies cell types that may predict aggressive disease in both children and adults.

By Evan Dorian
Photo of the exterior of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt shows the four new floors added atop the pediatric facility. (photo by Anne Rayner)
February 24, 2026

Grant supports study to improve detection of parathyroid glands in pediatric endocrine neck surgery 

Researchers will study the validity of near-infrared autofluorescence to improve detection of parathyroid glands during endocrine neck surgery, now looking at pediatric patients.

By Evan Dorian
Before being sedated, Aaron Davis gives a thumbs up with his surgical team. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 12, 2026

Vanderbilt Health celebrates milestone for novel histotripsy procedure 

Appealing to patients for its noninvasive nature, it avoids many of the traditional drawbacks of surgeries that use incisions, including pain management. 

By Evan Dorian
January 8, 2026

Melynor Fraker leads by helping her team members become the best versions of themselves, ever expanding what a regional hospital staff can do for its community

As the first recipient of the newly rechristened C. Wright Pinson Award, Fraker’s outstanding leadership reflects the award’s tradition of recognizing those who move VUMC forward.

By Evan Dorian
December 12, 2025

How Scott Smith beat the odds to live a full life with hydrocephalus through over a dozen surgeries at Vanderbilt Health

The Tullahoma, Tennessee, native turned 60 this year — something that would’ve seemed like an impossibility when he was growing up with a neurological condition.
By Evan Dorian
December 12, 2025

Vanderbilt Health now offering patients a new treatment for sleep apnea

The bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation device is available to qualified patients who have not been able to benefit from CPAP.
By Evan Dorian
December 10, 2025

Study finds that meditation may help stimulate the brain’s waste removal system, providing restorative benefits like sleep

New research is informing how mindfulness meditation contributes to improvements in cognitive health and may have relevance to treating a range of degenerative brain conditions.
By Evan Dorian
December 8, 2025

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery advances training of doctors from around the country through strong continuing medical education 

Its residency program was recently recognized by Doximity, an online professional network for U.S. physicians, as No. 1 by reputation for the fifth consecutive year.
By Evan Dorian
November 18, 2025

A renowned music producer needed a laryngectomy. His VUMC team helped him achieve the ‘Cadillac’ of vocal recovery.

Dan Hannon’s music industry accomplishments include over a billion streams, more than 4 million albums sold and multiple No. 1 albums and songs. Doing it all without his voice wasn’t an option.
By Evan Dorian
November 17, 2025

Latest workshop to modify toys for children with physical disabilities held at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center

Participants successfully adapted more than 30 toys using simple modifications that allow children with limited mobility to operate them with an accessibility switch.
By Evan Dorian