Heroes come in all sizes, and Mikayla Honeycutt was a small but mighty one. Born with a congenital brain condition called Dandy-Walker Syndrome, she had too much fluid in her brain.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees and guests gathered in the sixth floor atrium of the Critical Care Tower on Feb. 14 to dedicate “The Gift of Life,” a metal sculpture memorializing the final, selfless act of VUMC’s organ donors and their families.

The white nylon flag unfurled every year during the annual Donate Life Flag-raising Ceremony at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) extols a significant message.

On Dec. 11, 2015, Jamie Heard woke up earlier than usual. She said she went through her normal routine, which included morning prayers.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been awarded Platinum status by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a leader in organ, eye and tissue donation awareness.

As Carol Topley sat beside her husband’s bed in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she knew the end was imminent. She wanted to make sure Joe’s wishes were honored and reminded his nurse that he was an organ donor.

On Nov. 24, Vanderbilt University Medical Center patient Pam Smith will have a low-key lunch with a longtime friend to celebrate reaching 25 years post transplant.