More than a pet project, facility dogs can lower patient blood pressure, reduce pain perception, ease loneliness and fear and offer an important form of medicine — connection.

Heckers is currently VUMC’s longest serving clinical department chair. He credits his longevity to the department’s culture and tradition of steady leadership, with each of the three previous chairs serving for periods of similar length.

Born at 34 weeks gestation June 8, 2023, Sebastian Brook was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with severe hydrocephalus and tetralogy of Fallot.

Salazar shared his vision for the department and expressed gratitude to the Advisory Board members and supporters in the community.

The floor is named in recognition of Cal Turner Jr.’s support through the Cal Turner Family Foundation to bring pediatric inpatient rehabilitation closer to home.

Researchers hope to slow the progression of this chronic eye disease that affects approximately 40% of the U.S. population.

Jeb MacLennan, BSN, RN, works in the Surgical Intensive Care unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. He is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.