Voice

Stories from around the Vanderbilt University Medical Center community — our employees, our patients, our history and things we're interested in
(photo illustration by Diana Duren)
Patient Spotlight

On a spring night in 1987, teenager Mike Harper was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center pinned to a car seat with a fence post through his body. Here is one of the most amazing stories of survival in the history of VUMC.

Mike doesn’t remember the names of all the people who took care of him while he was at VUMC so long ago, but he does have a message for any of them who read this.
By Wayne Wood
Patient Spotlight

The little girl suddenly stopped walking and talking. How a terrifying diagnosis led to hope and healing.
By Jessica Pasley
Elevate Team Award

Primary Care Autism Team honored for developing new care pathway
By Leigh MacMillan

VUMC volunteer Nicholas Joy is finalist for Strobel Award; he and all volunteers recognized during Volunteer Appreciation Week
By Wayne Wood

DAISY Award

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April 11, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She was a kind face to see in a time when I was so worried.’

Madison Sowers, LPN, works in the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry unit at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
April 9, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: The patient’s final wish was to see her daughter’s wedding. The nurse became an ordained minister to make that happen.

Aaron Caskey, RN, works in the 1 West unit at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. He is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
March 14, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She is truly an artist in her profession’

Tiffanie Durbin, BSN, RN, works in the Vanderbilt Weight Loss Clinic at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
March 14, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She put my care and comfort before everything else’

Libby Bien, BSN, RN, works in the Hematology/Oncology unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
April 11, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She was a kind face to see in a time when I was so worried.’

Madison Sowers, LPN, works in the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry unit at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
April 9, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: The patient’s final wish was to see her daughter’s wedding. The nurse became an ordained minister to make that happen.

Aaron Caskey, RN, works in the 1 West unit at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. He is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
March 14, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She is truly an artist in her profession’

Tiffanie Durbin, BSN, RN, works in the Vanderbilt Weight Loss Clinic at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
March 14, 2025

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She put my care and comfort before everything else’

Libby Bien, BSN, RN, works in the Hematology/Oncology unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
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Credo Award

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April 3, 2025

Through laughter and rehabilitative care, Josh Baker helps patients recover and see a fulfilling future

“Josh has an uncanny ability to make people laugh and enjoy the present moment, while at the same time providing the highest quality care in a professional manner.”

By Nancy Humphrey
March 6, 2025

No matter the challenge, David Gaston stands ready to lead

Because of his leadership, dedication to patients and his colleagues, and commitment to quality, Gaston received a Credo Award at the January VUMC Leadership Assembly.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 21, 2025

Thoughtful, proactive and always full of cheer, Soraida Chavez is the glue that holds the Vanderbilt Benign Hematology Clinic together

“Soraida is one of the main reasons why we have such high patient and provider satisfaction in the benign hematology clinic,” wrote one nominator. “She is a wonderful, caring person who takes care of both the patients and the clinical staff.”

By Evan Dorian
December 6, 2024

Tanya Stellges is dedicated to keeping microbes at bay and patients safe

Her enterprise-wide efforts in high-level disinfection and sterilization earned her a Credo Award.

By Jill Clendening
April 3, 2025

Through laughter and rehabilitative care, Josh Baker helps patients recover and see a fulfilling future

“Josh has an uncanny ability to make people laugh and enjoy the present moment, while at the same time providing the highest quality care in a professional manner.”

By Nancy Humphrey
March 6, 2025

No matter the challenge, David Gaston stands ready to lead

Because of his leadership, dedication to patients and his colleagues, and commitment to quality, Gaston received a Credo Award at the January VUMC Leadership Assembly.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 21, 2025

Thoughtful, proactive and always full of cheer, Soraida Chavez is the glue that holds the Vanderbilt Benign Hematology Clinic together

“Soraida is one of the main reasons why we have such high patient and provider satisfaction in the benign hematology clinic,” wrote one nominator. “She is a wonderful, caring person who takes care of both the patients and the clinical staff.”

By Evan Dorian
December 6, 2024

Tanya Stellges is dedicated to keeping microbes at bay and patients safe

Her enterprise-wide efforts in high-level disinfection and sterilization earned her a Credo Award.

By Jill Clendening
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Furry Friends

VUMC people love their pets; here are some of the winners of the Voice Pet Photo Contest.

Meet more VUMC Pets
1 of 8

VUMC Pets of the Day: Finn and Magnus

VUMC Pets of the Day: Izzie Brooke and Celeste

VUMC Pets of the Day: Richie and Moroccan

VUMC Pets of the Day: Max and Chip

VUMC Pets of the Day: Kippens and Luna

VUMC Pets of the Day: Sebastian and Sammi

VUMC Pets of the Day: Trevor El Santos and Ari

Pets of VUMC 2024-25 Collection #4: Pets in pairs, part 2

By Wayne Wood
Meet more VUMC Pets

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