Evan Dorian Archive — Page 3 of 6

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
The device, which is surgically implanted but does not contain an internal battery, allows patients to control it externally without having to undergo subsequent procedures to replace a power source.
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
(iStock)
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
From left are are Alexander Gelbard, MD, Eben Rosenthal, MD, and Marc L. Bennett, MD, MMHC. (photo by Erin O. Smiteh)
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