Reporter
Year in Review 2020: Leadership appointments bolster VUMC’s missions
Dec. 17, 2020—New leadership appointments during the past year helped strengthen Vanderbilt University Medical Center's core missions.
Clinic uses new weapon to treat high-risk COVID patients
Dec. 17, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has a new weapon in the fight against COVID-19 — an investigational antibody treatment approved last month for emergency use in COVID-19 outpatients at high risk of developing severe disease or requiring hospital care.
Heart failure study seeks to reduce hospitalizations
Dec. 17, 2020—A national study led by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has found that many patients who arrive at the emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure can be safely discharged with self-care guidance and frequent phone appointments, avoiding the need for hospitalization.
Study reveals new strategy for reducing tumor growth, metastasis
Dec. 17, 2020—A team of Vanderbilt investigators has discovered that blocking a certain signaling pathway boosts antitumor immunity and reduces tumor growth and metastasis in models of breast cancer and melanoma.
Clair, Gilbert appointed as vice chairs of Medicine
Dec. 17, 2020—Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Medicine, has announced the appointment of two longtime Vanderbilt faculty members to newly created vice chair roles in the department.
Muñoz named to key VHVI leadership role
Dec. 17, 2020—Daniel Muñoz, MD, MPA, associate professor of Medicine, has been named the new executive medical director of the Patient Care Center (PCC) at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI), effective Jan. 1, 2021.
COVID-associated delays for elective services studied
Dec. 17, 2020—This spring in the U.S., there were widespread delays in elective health care procedures and screenings. Hospitals, in observance of federal guidelines, were, for a time, conserving beds and protective equipment in preparation for a surge in COVID-19 admissions. And, perhaps on a more prolonged basis, patients in many areas of the country stayed away due to anxiety over catching COVID-19 from other patients or their health care team.
Study reveals distinct genomic landscape for young adults with appendiceal cancer
Dec. 17, 2020—The first study to compare molecular landscapes of early-onset and late-onset appendiceal cancer has revealed distinct non-silent mutations in the tumors of younger patients, setting the stage for the development of potential therapeutic advances for this rare disease.
Coronavirus ‘crusaders’ spur VUMC research achievements
Dec. 16, 2020—The development of the vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that ultimately will defeat COVID-19 wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the unflagging and selfless efforts of a global army of research nurses, laboratory personnel, recruiters and other staff.
Guillamondegui named chief of Division of Trauma
Dec. 16, 2020—Oscar Guillamondegui, MD, MPH, has been named chief of the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care for the Department of Surgery.
Health equity’s role in pandemic response crucial
Dec. 16, 2020—In March, Vanderbilt University Medical Center leaders established a command center on campus to address the myriad issues that the Medical Center would face in the coming days, weeks and months as the COVID-19 pandemic encroached on Tennessee, then Nashville and finally on campus.
A deeper look at out-of-home care
Dec. 15, 2020—Geographically targeted efforts to prevent children being placed in out-of-home care might be possible, Vanderbilt researchers report.
