Mission of Caring

December 10, 2025

Sit, stay, heal: Meet the facility dogs of Vanderbilt Health 

More than a pet project, facility dogs can lower patient blood pressure, reduce pain perception, ease loneliness and fear and offer an important form of medicine — connection.

By Danny Bonvissuto
Sebastian Brook is what his parents call ‘the exception.’
December 8, 2025

Minutes to hours, to weeks, months and years … How a patient defied the odds

Born at 34 weeks gestation June 8, 2023, Sebastian Brook was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with severe hydrocephalus and tetralogy of Fallot.

By Jessica Pasley
November 17, 2025

Award program celebrates improvement work across VUMC

The 2025 QSRP Pursuit of Excellence Awards ceremony was combined with celebration of this year’s honorees of Vanderbilt’s Safety Superhero and Good Catch programs.

By Paul Govern
From left, SLP graduate students Leah Wirthlin, Sydney Lex, Abby Ragan, Bella Blanchet, and Sam Eason pose with adapted Mickey Mouse dolls at the Adaptive Toy Workshop. Photo by Emily Mathis.
November 17, 2025

Latest workshop to modify toys for children with physical disabilities held at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center

Participants successfully adapted more than 30 toys using simple modifications that allow children with limited mobility to operate them with an accessibility switch.

By Evan Dorian
November 12, 2025

Vanderbilt Home Care Services celebrates 40 years of excellence

Founded in 1985, VHCS has grown into a comprehensive home-based care program, serving a daily census of over 650 patients.

By Kylie Avery
(photo by Donn Jones)
November 7, 2025

Directorships celebrate VUMC leaders and philanthropic partners

Many of these endowed directorships at VUMC are funded by generous donors who are passionate about making a meaningful difference in research and patient care.

By Doug Campbell
October 24, 2025

VUMC, Tennessee Donor Services celebrate birth tissue donation partnership

Membranes and cellular components of the umbilical cord and placenta are used across many medical disciplines.
By Danny Bonvissuto
October 23, 2025

John Seibert to continue serving community through Department of Otolaryngology’s partnership with Nashville General Hospital

Seibert was officially reappointed to Nashville General in October.
By Evan Dorian
October 21, 2025

From steakhouse to sanctuary: Vanderbilt Birth Center celebrates 10 years

More than 2,792 babies have been born in the freestanding, midwifery-led facility dedicated to low-risk, unmedicated birth experiences.
By Danny Bonvissuto
September 30, 2025

William Schaffner receives national honor for his vaccination, public health advocacy

The award honors medical school faculty members who have made major contributions to improving public health and health care.
By Bill Snyder
September 25, 2025

Made in the Shade … Tree Clinic. Medical student-run clinic celebrates two decades of transforming lives

The clinic has provided comprehensive medical care and bridged gaps to vital resources to improve the health outcomes for, to date, more than 4,000 uninsured individuals.
By Jill Clendening
September 23, 2025

Orthopaedic Outreach Day ‘resets the soul’ for patients and volunteers

Thirteen patients received free orthopaedic surgeries, including five sports cases, six hand/upper extremity cases and, for the first time, two foot and ankle surgeries.
By Danny Bonvissuto
September 19, 2025

Donald Brady shares reflections on 100 years of medical history at Vanderbilt

He guided a packed audience through a century of history at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Jill Clendening