Reporter Oct 23 2020

Andrea Birch, MD, credits her family and other mentors for helping pave the way for her career in medicine.
October 22, 2020

Variety of influences helped shape Birch’s medical career

Andrea Birch was 9 years old and on top of the world. Her visiting cousin had challenged her to a tree-climbing contest, and, as a competitive kid always up for a challenge, she had outclimbed him. She was looking down at him from her lofty perch and, as she recalls, “goading him from the top.

By Wayne Wood
October 22, 2020

VPH nurse creates trauma-informed yoga program

Julie Stavas, RN, has found a way to marry two of her passions — psychiatric nursing and yoga — at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH). About once every week, she leads trauma-informed yoga therapy to a group of five to 10 patients for 30 to 45 minutes.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 22, 2020

New tool to probe genetic mechanisms of disease

Vanderbilt Genetics Institute investigators have added a new method to the computational genetics toolbox. Their approach, described in the journal Nature Genetics, integrates vast genomics datasets to predict gene expression and facilitate discovery of genetic mechanisms underlying human diseases.

By Leigh MacMillan
Christopher Ellis, MD, is studying a minimally invasive procedure to treat patients with longstanding atrial fibrillation.
October 22, 2020

Minimally invasive treatment option for AFib studied

A minimally invasive procedure that combines ligation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) with hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation is a feasible, safe and effective method of treating patients with longstanding atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib), according to a new Vanderbilt-led study.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 22, 2020

Lindsley to direct Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery

Craig Lindsley, PhD, the William K. Warren Jr. Chair in Medicine and University Professor of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Chemistry, will become director of Vanderbilt University’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), effective Dec. 1. Lindsley assumes the director position from Jeffrey Conn, PhD, Lee. E. Limbird Chair in Pharmacology and professor of Pharmacology.

By VUMC News and Communications
October 22, 2020

Kevin Churchwell named Boston Children’s Hospital CEO

Kevin Churchwell, MD, former chief executive officer of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been named CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, effective March 31, 2021.

By Christina Echegaray
October 22, 2020

VUMC Hidden Figures event set for Nov. 2

The fourth annual Hidden VUMC Figures event will take place via Zoom at noon on Monday, Nov. 2.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 22, 2020

NIAAA director Koob set for Nov. 5 virtual Discovery Lecture

The Discovery Lecture Series launches this fall with a webinar format, the first featuring George Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 21, 2020

Park named director of Hematology and Oncology at VICC

After serving as interim director since Jan. 1, Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, Donna S. Hall Professor of Breast Cancer Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology.
By Tom Wilemon
October 21, 2020

‘Black in Cancer’ promotes diversity in research

Black In Cancer, an initiative cofounded by Henry Henderson III, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, is making an impact just two months after its inception.
By Tom Wilemon
October 20, 2020

Vanderbilt Health to be founding member of Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Health Network

Vanderbilt Health is one of 12 of the nation’s premier providers of medical care that will begin offering services to any former National Football League player or team employee, and their families, under the banner of Hall of Fame Health.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 20, 2020

Ascension St. Thomas, Tristar Health, Meharry Medical College/Nashville General Hospital, Vanderbilt Health issue joint statement on COVID-19

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Tennessee is rising. In the 13 counties that comprise the Nashville Metropolitan Area, new cases have increased 50% over the last 2 weeks. We strongly urge everyone in Middle Tennessee, and all Tennesseans, to remain vigilant in their efforts to limit the spread of the virus by wearing masks, washing hands and staying socially distant — including not participating in large gatherings.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 20, 2020

Three from Vanderbilt elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Three members of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine faculty have been elected this year to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the organization announced Monday, Oct. 19.
By Bill Snyder
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