Pediatrics

Panda Express and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt leaders, along with patients and families, gathered July 10 to celebrate the opening of the Panda Cares Center of Hope. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
July 11, 2024

Gift establishes Panda Cares Center of Hope at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

The Panda Cares Center of Hope will focus on four key pillars of pediatric health care programs and services, not only for patients but also for their siblings and caregivers.

By Christina Echegaray
Jennifer Najjar, MD, center, with longtime colleagues Margaret Anderson, DNP, FNP-BC, left, and Barbara Duffy, MSN, APRN, CPNP. (photo by Donn Jones)
July 8, 2024

Noted pediatric endocrinologist Jennifer Najjar retires after 47 years at Vanderbilt

After 47 years as a pediatric endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Jennifer Najjar is reflecting on her life of work, highlighting moments of pride and gratitude for her patients and colleagues, and relishing in her ability to practice medicine while also training the next generation of pediatric doctors.

By Christina Echegaray
July 1, 2024

Vanderbilt mourns the loss of neonatal medicine pioneer Mildred Stahlman

Mildred T. Stahlman, MD, who pioneered the treatment of lung disease in premature infants and who was a tireless advocate of children of all ages, died June 29. She was 101.

By Bill Snyder
June 21, 2024

Eunice Huang named to the Board of Governors for the American Pediatric Surgical Association

As a governor, Huang will work to support the professional life cycle of its members and be a voice for children with surgical problems, with an intentional focus on areas in which the voice of a pediatric surgeon is especially effective. 

By Christina Echegaray
June 20, 2024

Kate Carlson named to academic health leadership program for women

The program is targeted to rising women at the equivalent of the associate or full professor level who are established experts in their domain. Participants have a track record of achievement in clinical program development and aspire to lead at the executive level.

By Christina Echegaray
Registered respiratory therapist Natasha Vanderbilt, RRT, encourages 10-year-old Kate to exhale a complete breath during a lung function test in the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine clinic. (photo by Susan Urmy)
June 14, 2024

Removing race improves accuracy of lung function testing in children

The study suggests the adjustment for race in spirometry resulted in an underreporting — and thus possibly undertreatment — of chronic lung diseases, including asthma and cystic fibrosis, in Black children.

By Bill Snyder
June 12, 2024

From clinic to comic cons: Team helps nonverbal, nonmobile patient unlock his interviewing voice

Seven years ago, asking questions was not possible. Ivan, who is nonverbal and nonmobile, had no way to communicate. What he was thinking, feeling or wanting was always a “best guess” for his mom.
By Christina Echegaray
June 6, 2024

Stokes, Austin, Rosas-Salazar honored by the American Thoracic Society

The mission of the ATS is to promote the respiratory health of children and adolescents and to improve the care of children with respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
By Christina Echegaray
June 3, 2024

Third time’s the charm for Home with Heart Raffle winner

This year’s Home with Heart Raffle marked the third time that Willow Branch Homes has donated a home to support Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
By Jessica Pasley
May 23, 2024

Where Hope Began: Celebrating more than 20 years of the Carell family commitment to children

Until 2004, Nashville was the only city among the top 25 in the nation that didn’t have a freestanding hospital dedicated to serving children and their families.  
By Christina Echegaray
May 22, 2024

Rising syphilis cases prompt more testing during pregnancy

When found and treated early with antibiotics, syphilis is curable. Untreated syphilis can cause deafness, blindness and irreversible heart and brain damage.
By Danny Bonvissuto
May 15, 2024

Alex Diamond to chair national high school sports medicine advisory committee

Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, was recently named the chair of the National Federation of State High School (NFHS) Associations Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
By Jessica Pasley
May 6, 2024

Second-most used herbicide in the US linked to birth defect in national study 

At present, 44 countries, including the European Union, have banned or are phasing out atrazine due to concern for its negative effects on human health.
By Craig Boerner