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.

Linda Norman, DSN, R.N., Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) and Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing, told the Class of 2017 during Investiture ceremonies last week that they have chosen to become nurses at the best point in history.

When Allison Norlander was visiting biomedical science graduate programs in 2011, she nearly crossed Vanderbilt off her list before she even visited. After six interview trips, she was worn out.

Cheryl Blackwell walked into a room with her reading glasses propped atop her head and was greeted by people wearing wacky antennas adorned with rocket ships and planets.