Reporter June 25 2021

June 24, 2021

Tuya Pal named Komen Scholar

Susan G. Komen announced on June 23 that Tuya Pal, MD, associate director for Cancer Health Disparities at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) and Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, has been named a Komen Scholar.

By Tom Wilemon
Mid adult African American female pediatrician uses a tongue depressor to look at her young Filipino patient's throat.
June 23, 2021

Pediatricians see spike in RSV cases, urge parents to be on lookout for symptoms

“We are seeing a spike in respiratory illnesses, especially RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and parainfluenza, which cause croup and bronchiolitis in young children and flu-like symptoms in older children and adults,” said James Antoon, MD, PhD, FAAP, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Jessica Pasley
June 23, 2021

Virtual study of stress in parents of children with developmental disabilities seeks participants

Otolaryngology researchers from the Music Cognition Lab are seeking to recruit parents of children with developmental disabilities for a study about the connection between mindfulness, music and stress levels. 

By VUMC News and Communications
June 23, 2021

Study shows benefit of scheduling lung screens with mammograms

Women who are longtime smokers could potentially save their lives by undergoing lung screens on the same day they schedule mammograms, according to a study by Vanderbilt researchers published in the Journal of Medical Screening.

By Tom Wilemon
June 23, 2021

Common mechanism found for diverse brain disorders: study

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a common mechanism underlying a spectrum of epilepsy syndromes and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, that are caused by variations in a gene encoding a vital transporter protein in the brain.

By Bill Snyder
June 23, 2021

NBA player brings message of hope to Camp T.A.L.K.S.

The children of Camp TALKS (Talking and Learning with Kids who Stutter) were excited to welcome Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — NBA player and person who stutters — to camp recently, where they were able to listen to his story and advice. Kidd-Gilchrist, an advocate for the stuttering community, recently launched Change & Impact, a stuttering initiative focused on improving access to health care and expanding services and resources for those who stutter.

By VUMC News and Communications
June 22, 2021

Combination antibody therapies should retain effectiveness against emerging COVID-19 variants: study

Five monoclonal antibody “cocktails,” including one developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), are protective in animal studies against several variant strains of COVID-19, according to a report this week in the journal Nature.
By Bill Snyder
June 21, 2021

Two VUMC physician-scientists win Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Awards

Two physician-scientist Instructors in Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) — Jeeyeon Cha, MD, PhD, and Celestine Wanjalla, MD, PhD — are among 12 recipients of the 2021 Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) Career Award for Medical Scientists.
By Bill Snyder
June 21, 2021

Medical Center leaders announce Academy for Excellence in Clinical Medicine

Leaders at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine announce the creation of the Academy for Excellence in Clinical Medicine (AECM). The mission of the Academy is to recognize and advance exceptional patient care.
By John Howser
June 21, 2021

Racial Equity Task Force releases initial recommendations

The Racial Equity Taskforce created by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine last summer has released 62 primary recommendations and 152 sub-recommendations around eight themes.
By Kathy Whitney
June 17, 2021

Wright named Chief of Staff for Adult Ambulatory Services for Davidson County

Patty Wright, MD, professor of Medicine and associate division director for Clinical Affairs in the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been named as Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Chief of Staff for Adult Ambulatory Services for Davidson County. She will begin serving in this role on July 1.
By John Howser