Jessica Pasley

To prepare for his graduation ceremony, Carter Williamson had his own goal. He wanted to walk across the stage to accept his diploma. 

The team used an Impella, a catheter-based miniature ventricular assist device. It offered the best chance of getting rising eighth-grader Van Sung to transplant.

The siblings, both recovering from surgery, admitted they were best friends, a bond that has grown even deeper since the transplant.

These psychologists work with the medical team and families to help support patients during their hospital visits and in coping with and treating their medical diagnosis.

In March 2023, then 14-year-old Jude Downer became one of the first patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to receive an implantable device designed to aid sleep.

Feeding and swallowing problems, known as dysphagia, occur in an estimated 25% to 45% of normally developing children.