Author: Kathy Whitney
Lecture highlights academic medicine’s role in racial justice
Jan. 20, 2021—On Monday, Jan. 18, Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine and School of Nursing hosted the 20th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture.
First-person essay: Doing my part to end the pandemic
Dec. 28, 2020—I want to particularly encourage the African American community, which has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, to step forward, receive this vaccine and spread the word to your families. Let’s put this pandemic behind us in 2021 — together.
HERO-TOGETHER study seeks health care workers who receive COVID-19 vaccine
Dec. 21, 2020—Health care workers, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the first tier of Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees to receive vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Health equity’s role in pandemic response crucial
Dec. 16, 2020—In March, Vanderbilt University Medical Center leaders established a command center on campus to address the myriad issues that the Medical Center would face in the coming days, weeks and months as the COVID-19 pandemic encroached on Tennessee, then Nashville and finally on campus.
VUMC mourns loss of pediatrician Geoffrey Fleming
Dec. 9, 2020—Geoffrey Fleming, MD, professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, and Vice President of Vanderbilt University Medical Center Continuous Professional Development, died Dec. 8. He was 50.
New bone anchored hearing implant enhances patient’s life
Dec. 2, 2020—Although Elisabeth Mouw, 23, knew she would benefit from having a bone-anchored hearing implant, she put off getting one for several years. Aside from being concerned about the aesthetic of wearing an external hearing device, she was worried it would interfere with her ability to play sports.
Faculty mentoring program named for Geoffrey Fleming
Nov. 24, 2020—Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Academy for Excellence in Education is developing a mentoring program for scientist educators, clinician educators and clinical practice faculty that will provide support and guidance to access and acquire the resources and skills necessary for successful careers as educators. Named the Geoffrey Fleming Mentoring Program, it will be implemented in spring 2021.
Lecturer shares impact Watkins made on his life
Oct. 7, 2020—The 19th annual Levi Watkins Jr., MD Lecture was held Oct. 6, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Watkins’ graduation from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Watkins, who was the first African American student to attend and graduate from VUSM, died in 2015.
UAB’s Vickers set for Oct. 6 Watkins Lecture
Oct. 1, 2020—The 19th Annual Levi Watkins Jr., MD, Lecture will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 6, via virtual format.
Medical residents help craft national leave policy
Sep. 10, 2020—The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which oversees physician certification in the United States, announced the adoption of a “progressive leave policy that will offer residents and fellows more flexibility, reduce stress and increase autonomy in making life decisions, especially with regard to family and parental leave.”
Ceremony launches medical students’ education journey
Aug. 12, 2020—In keeping with tradition, the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine first-year class held its White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 5. Despite a few aspects of the ceremony being altered due to physical distancing measures put in place with COVID-19, the students enjoyed the right of passage marking the beginning of their medical education journey.
Group’s efforts lead to removal of race as a variable in common test of kidney function
Jul. 13, 2020—A group of Vanderbilt students, residents and faculty — connected through their passion for health equity — have identified and worked together to rectify longstanding concerns about the inappropriate use of race as a variable in the calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which estimates a patient’s level of kidney function and helps determine the stage of kidney disease.
