COVID

Contributors to the COVID-19 microbiome study include (front row, from left) Julie Bastarache, MD, Meghan Shilts, MS, MHS, (middle row, from left) Jodell Jackson, PhD, Suman Das, PhD, Angela Jones, MS, (back row, from left) Jonathan Schmitz, PhD, MD, Simon Mallal, MBBS, and Jordan Best, PhD.
March 11, 2021

‘Friendly’ bacteria may impact COVID severity

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded Vanderbilt University Medical Center a two-year, $3.7-million contract to determine genetic and bacterial factors that may increase the risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder
March 9, 2021

Pediatric emergency visits, hospitalizations down sharply during pandemic: study

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s hospitals across the United States have seen signification reductions in the number of children being treated for common pediatric illnesses like asthma and pneumonia, according to a new multicenter study led by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Christina Echegaray
March 8, 2021

Infection Prevention team likens pandemic to an ultramarathon

“We always say that infection prevention is everyone’s business, and the pandemic reflects that.”

By Jill Clendening
March 4, 2021

Monoclonal antibody “cocktail” blocks COVID-19 variants: study

A monoclonal antibody “cocktail” developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to neutralize the COVID-19 virus is effective against all known strains, or variants, of the virus, according to a report published today in the journal Nature Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
March 4, 2021

COVID-19 survey data added to All of Us platform

In December 2020, the federal government’s massive precision medicine research initiative, All of Us (AoU), made available to qualified researchers initial results from its ongoing COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) Survey, as well as physical activity and heart rate data collected from Fitbit devices worn by AoU participants.

By Paul Govern
March 4, 2021

Biostatistician DeMets set for next Discovery Lecture

David DeMets, PhD, known for his work on statistical methods to monitor interim clinical trial data for early evidence of benefit or harm, will deliver the next web-based Discovery Lecture.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 3, 2021

A shot in the arm

Country music icon Dolly Parton received her COVID-19 vaccination at Vanderbilt Health Tuesday from Naji Abumrad, MD, and urged everyone not to hesitate to get their vaccine when they become eligible to receive it.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 2, 2021

Study to evaluate effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospitalization

As the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) considers adding a third COVID-19 vaccine to the rollout, a multicenter study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center will evaluate how effective the vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from COVID-19.
By Kristin Smart
February 24, 2021

Stay connected: vumc2go gets easier way to download, events calendar

The latest version of vumc2go — the workforce’s internal news mobile app — makes it easier for Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees to download the app, connect with virtual events around the health system and track their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
By Holly Fletcher
February 18, 2021

Who is that masked man?

Frank Nix of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit finds a way to connect with patient families with his custom face covers
By Jessica Pasley
February 18, 2021

Take care of you: 5 Takeaways from Leadership Assembly

In the 351 days since the COVID-19 Command Center opened to steer Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the pandemic, the workforce stepped up and contributed, keeping the health system on track to deliver care even as the landscape quaked with new challenges.
By Holly Fletcher
February 15, 2021

Patients’ stories motivate Lizzie Simonds, the only paramedic working in VUMC’s COVID unit

She remembers one man who was scared and couldn't rest: “I spent 45 minutes…sitting next to him, holding his hand so he felt safe enough to try to sleep for a little bit."
By Wayne Wood
February 11, 2021

VUSM students helping vaccinate patients against COVID-19

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students will be rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to vaccinate patients against COVID-19.
By Kathy Whitney