As family members, friends and faculty gathered in 208 Light Hall, many with cell phones positioned to capture the moment, Bonnie Miller, M.D., MMHC, welcomed them to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s (VUSM) annual Convocation and White Coat Ceremony, and then turned to the first-year students and asked a simple question.

Jesse Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, professor of Anesthesiology, Surgery, Biomedical Informatics and Health Policy, was named secretary of the American Medical Association (AMA) board of trustees for 2017-2018 following elections held during the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.

In his message to the class of 2017 at Commencement last Friday, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM), spoke of challenges caused by the rapid pace of change in health care and eroding public trust in the U.S. health care system.

Joey Barnett, Ph.D., has been named co-chair of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Admissions Committee, effective July 1.

Two Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students were recently recognized with national awards for their accomplishments.

Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency and a career Naval officer, will visit Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Tuesday, March 28.