Jessica Pasley

Shown here are (front row, from left) Katrina Pryor, Miguel Coleman, Brianna Wilson (back row, from left) Dawn Howard, Lonnie Purcell, Tohmanih Waggoner and Anthony Johnson.
November 21, 2025

Project SEARCH job skills program expands into off-site pharmacy services

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt hosted the first Project SEARCH site in Tennessee, offering interns free job training, educational development and employment opportunities since 2005.

By Jessica Pasley
(Adobe Stock)
November 13, 2025

Study finds that guidelines helped reduce food allergy rates in children

Food allergies have significantly dropped since the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases adopted new guidelines in 2017, two years after the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy trial.

By Jessica Pasley
November 11, 2025

Drug resistant infections are on the rise: Experts emphasize education, awareness

Teams at VUMC and Monroe Carell are focused on reaching more clinicians, patients and families through the Vanderbilt Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

By Jessica Pasley
(photo by Erin O. Smith)
November 10, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt honors Scott and Sandi Borchetta

Longtime supporters of Monroe Carell, the Borchettas’ latest philanthropy builds on their ongoing commitment to the hospital’s NICU services.

By Paige Turner
The Be In The Zone program included a daylong event where students experienced a mock trauma simulation in the ED. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 30, 2025

Program shows students that distracted driving can take many forms

Research has found that dialing a phone number while driving increases a teen’s risk of crashing by six times, and texting while driving increases the risk by 23 times.

By Jessica Pasley
Patient Niah Carver hugs facility dog Squid. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 1, 2025

Facility dog’s calming presence helps young heart patient cope with anxiety

Squid, 7, is a part of the Canine Clinicians Facility Dog Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He provides support, comfort, motivation and care to patients and families.

By Jessica Pasley
September 5, 2025

Leslie Grissim’s dedication to fitness led to the national Senior Games — and a medal

As the facility dog coordinator at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Grissim is always on the go.
By Jessica Pasley
August 15, 2025

NICU babies are going home weeks earlier thanks to an iPad

The NICU Bridge to Home program is a remote monitoring initiative designed to support families during their transition from the hospital to home.
By Jessica Pasley
August 11, 2025

Alex Diamond named to national Health and Safety Advisory Council

The advisory council is a part of the National Council of Youth Sports, a leading organization representing youth sports in the United States.
By Jessica Pasley
August 4, 2025

Researchers debunk long-standing concern about flu treatment in children

The findings demonstrated what many pediatricians have long suspected: that the flu, not the flu treatment (Tamiflu), is associated with neuropsychiatric events.
By Jessica Pasley
July 11, 2025

Prevent heat-related injuries, deaths in children with these important tips

As parents and caregivers are being mindful of safety in rising temperatures, experts also urge adults to take appropriate steps to prevent hot car deaths and injuries.
By Jessica Pasley
July 10, 2025

Velour Vanderbilt is just what the doctor ordered

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt facility dog “transforms tears to giggles on a daily basis,” said her handler.
By Jessica Pasley