Jill Clendening Archive — Page 1 of 37

Melissa Glass of Morgantown, Kentucky, had single-port robotic surgery at Vanderbilt Health to remove a cancerous tumor in her colon. The minimally invasive procedure allowed her to recover more quickly and return to activities she loves. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 17, 2026

Single-port, robotic colorectal surgery means patients go home, heal faster

Vanderbilt Health is among the highest volume single-port robotic colorectal surgery programs in the nation. Dozens of established surgeons from around the U.S. have come to train with this team.

September 7, 2026

Gibson Gives strikes the right chord with Vanderbilt Health for healing

Donated guitars help artists recover and return to making music.

Mayur Patel, MD, MPH
August 26, 2026

Mayur Patel receives top honor from Brain Injury Association of America’s Tennessee Chapter

Patel oversees the delivery of trauma, burn, emergency general surgery and critical care, including care for patients sustaining a traumatic brain injury.

After she receives her white coat, Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, directs Elena Inthavanh Amonette, a Belmont University graduate, to the stage exit.
July 29, 2026

Ninety-nine medical students receive white coats during meaningful ceremony

The VUSM Class of 2030 includes 82 MD students, 16 Medical Scientist Training Program students and one oral and maxillofacial surgery student.

After having reconstructive surgeries to repair the asymmetry caused by Parry-Romberg syndrome, Tracy Baker now faces the world with more confidence. (photo by Susan Urmy)
July 22, 2026

Adult Cleft and Craniofacial Program rebuilds faces and confidence long after childhood

Tracy Baker thought she just had to live with an asymmetrical face, and then a Vanderbilt Health team gave her a new visage.

July 20, 2026

Palliative Care team manifests dreams of butterbeer and Harry Potter

After Mike Guth and his family learned that his pancreatic cancer had advanced beyond treatment, the Vanderbilt Health Palliative Care team worked magic to make a dream trip possible.