Employee Spotlight

November 25, 2025

Patient care + commanding convoys = satisfaction for VUMC nurse Erik Glover

C-Pod nurse commands a Tennessee-based U.S. Army Reserve unit

By Jill Clendening
November 11, 2025

Scenes from Rounds at the Sounds

By Erin O. Smith
September 16, 2025

Film, sports, surgery, science, art and life. For Jeffrey Upperman, it’s all connected.

Monroe Carell Surgeon-in-Chief Jeffrey Upperman judges films for the Nashville Film Festival, is on the Belcourt Theatre board, and says surgery and moviemaking are similar in many ways.

By Evan Dorian
September 5, 2025

Leslie Grissim’s dedication to fitness led to the national Senior Games — and a medal

As the facility dog coordinator at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Grissim is always on the go.

By Jessica Pasley
August 12, 2025

Stand Up to Cancer pre-taping event features food, fun and festivities

The show highlighting advancements in cancer care was taped at The Pinnacle in downtown Nashville. Approximately 1,000 VUMC employees and their guests attended a pre-taping party and show.

By Erin O. Smith
July 10, 2025

A snack almost turns deadly; VUMC nurse saves choking co-worker with Heimlich maneuver

“I said ‘Thank you for saving my life,’” she said. “I have awesome co-workers.”

By Wayne Wood
June 12, 2025

From professional photographer to pediatric nurse, Mel Firebaugh is focused on bringing joy

“Being a photographer taught me to treasure the good memories and hold tight through the tough times. This is useful in nursing because there are a lot of tough times.”
By Jessica Pasley
May 19, 2025

Saved by an angel — in Aldi

Steve Glaeser fell in an Aldi supermarket; a Vanderbilt Health critical care nurse saved his life.
By John Howser
May 13, 2025

VUMC volunteer Nicholas Joy wins Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award

The Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award recognizes individuals or groups who have made a lasting impact on the community through their volunteerism.
By Wayne Wood
April 23, 2025

Straight from her heart: gratitude and gems

Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center nurse Sherri Hails, RN, shares messages of gratitude through heart-shaped reminders.
By Jill Clendening
April 18, 2025

VUMC volunteer Nicholas Joy is finalist for Strobel Award; he and all volunteers recognized during Volunteer Appreciation Week

By Wayne Wood
January 31, 2025

Janet Cross retiring from Vanderbilt after four decades of attending to children’s psychological, emotional and developmental needs

Cross spent her entire career dedicated to helping lay the foundation locally and nationally to solidify child life specialists as part of the health care team.
By Christina Echegaray
January 23, 2025

Terrell Smith retiring after distinguished career at Vanderbilt

Smith was at the forefront of creating patient and family councils that advise individual Vanderbilt hospital entities from the patient/family perspective.
By Matt Batcheldor
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