Pediatrics

January 20, 2026

Following recommended schedule helps keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases

Any length of time without immunizations is a time without protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

By Jessica Pasley
William Russell, MD
January 7, 2026

Longtime pediatric endocrinology director Bill Russell to focus on research, patient care

He has been succeeded on an interim basis by Jill Simmons, MD, professor of Pediatrics and founding director of the Program for Pediatric Metabolic Bone Disorders at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Bill Snyder
Larry Markham, MD
January 2, 2026

Larry Markham named director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and co-director of the Pediatric Heart Institute

Markham succeeds Scott Baldwin, MD, who stepped down after leading the division for more than two decades.

By Christina Echegaray
December 31, 2025

Experts stress importance of vitamin K to prevent bleeding in newborns

Nearly a decade ago, neonatologists at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt noticed a VKDB diagnosis uptick and called for a state and national tracking system.

By Jessica Pasley
Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, at the reception with a cake depicting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (photo by Susan Urmy)
December 22, 2025

Meg Rush and her storied career of caring for children celebrated

For Rush, the most meaningful part of her journey has been the people — the children, their families, and the faculty, staff and trainees with whom she has worked over the years. 

By Christina Echegaray
Photo of the exterior of Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt shows the four new floors added atop the pediatric facility. (photo by Anne Rayner)
December 15, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt named 2025 Leapfrog Top Hospital

This year, Monroe Carell is one of only 15 children’s hospitals nationwide to receive the Top Hospitals designation.

By Christina Echegaray
December 11, 2025

Experts call for better adherence to guidelines for antiviral prescribing for children at higher risk of severe influenza

Researchers found a substantial gap between recommendations and real-world treatment practices in pediatric EDs (emergency departments) across the country.
By Jessica Pasley
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
December 5, 2025

Welcoming Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH

Salazar shared his vision for the department and expressed gratitude to the Advisory Board members and supporters in the community.
December 5, 2025

Celebrating the Turner family legacy

The floor is named in recognition of Cal Turner Jr.’s support through the Cal Turner Family Foundation to bring pediatric inpatient rehabilitation closer to home.
December 2, 2025

Study seeks to determine best way to treat myopia in children

Researchers hope to slow the progression of this chronic eye disease that affects approximately 40% of the U.S. population.
By Jessica Pasley
November 25, 2025

New NICU program cares for infants with complex lung and airway diseases

Over the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of patients born preterm with severe lung disease requiring highly specialized care.
By Jessica Pasley
November 21, 2025

Project SEARCH job skills program expands into off-site pharmacy services

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt hosted the first Project SEARCH site in Tennessee, offering interns free job training, educational development and employment opportunities since 2005.
By Jessica Pasley