StrategyShare19, an annual, interactive event at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to showcase innovations and initiatives to advance the Medical Center’s Strategic Directions, is focusing this year on Design for Patients and Families — one of the four Strategic Directions — and efforts to enhance patient, clinician and staff experiences.

Tobacco control legislative initiatives in Tennessee and other states were discussed during the spring Research into Policy and Practice Lecture sponsored by the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and NashvilleHealth.

Health care professionals throughout the United States are encouraging patients and their families to document their preferences related to their health care during an awareness campaign known as National Healthcare Decisions Day, celebrated on Tuesday, April 16. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is hosting several events for employees to promote the importance of completing an advance directive for health care.

Medication errors are a safety concern during transitions in care, such as when a patient is released from a hospital to return home. Because of this, a Population Health Pharmacy team is piloting a program to improve continuity of care.

While Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student Jon Alverio was on rotation with the Vanderbilt Health Palliative Care team, he witnessed the confusion patients often have as they try to complete an advance directive for health care, and he decided to do something about it.

Communicating effectively is an important aspect of the Credo that guides the professional conduct of Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees, while the Patient and Family Promise guides our commitment to patients.