Squid, 7, is a part of the Canine Clinicians Facility Dog Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He provides support, comfort, motivation and care to patients and families.

There has been a growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents in Tennessee, where the suicide death rate among youth (ages 5-17) is 13.6% higher than the national average.

The new chair celebrated the department’s achievements and growth for the past year and set a vision for the future.

The Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Program is one of the largest in the country treating patients with heart problems from before birth through adulthood.

She brings nearly 30 years of experience in health care administration to Monroe Carell, the past seven of which have been in a chief operating officer role.

Waist circumference measurements along with weight and height may be a practical, low-cost marker to confirm excess body fat among children.