Employee Spotlight

January 30, 2019

“You don’t need to be afraid.” A 10-year-old’s words of comfort to an adult facing surgery.

Leslie McDaniel had never had surgery in her life and was apprehensive. Bethany Lafata, 10, is already an expert at preparing for surgery, so she shared encouragement and advice.

By Christina Echegaray
December 28, 2018

Olympic achievement: Children’s Hospital employee KeKe Hinds brings home the gold

“I am very competitive when it comes to sports. It’s such fun and I get to meet so many great people.”

By Jessica Pasley
December 17, 2018

United Voices of Vanderbilt choir spreads cheer with Children’s Hospital performance

One year after its formation, the Medical Center choir has added new leaders and new harmonies

By Tom Wilemon
December 10, 2018

Hardship Fund helps employees with unexpected expenses

Hardships may include an illness or accident, burial expenses after the death of a family member or relocation costs after being displaced from affordable housing.

By Tom Wilemon
December 5, 2018

Bruce Tyler is dedicated to the patients he transports. Now a cancer diagnosis has led him to see his job from the other side.

A VUMC video telling his story has been viewed tens of thousands of times.

By Wayne Wood
November 14, 2018

After being diagnosed with MS, Jonathan Davidson decided to take up running. He just completed his 50th marathon — one in each of the 50 states.

Holding his infant daughter led him to vow to take care of himself so he could coach her soccer team and, someday, walk her down the aisle.

By Kelsey Herbers
October 12, 2018

There once was a doctor from Vandy. With limericks he was quite handy.

William Stone, MD, has a talent for writing medical limericks. Girl from Nantucket: no. Smoker from Sewanee: yes.
By Wayne Wood
September 17, 2018

Sarah Carpenter learned a lot working for “The Simpsons.” At Vanderbilt, she applies that knowledge to autism research.

“What I learned there — that’s what we’re doing here.”
By Wayne Wood
September 7, 2018

Every child who finishes chemo gets a rousing serenade. The woman behind Children’s Hospital’s “Last Chemo” song.

Warning: you will be humming "The Macarena" for the rest of the day.
By Jessica Pasley
August 27, 2018

Trauma Unit celebrates 20th anniversary; longtime employees share two decades of memories

“It is the people and not the bricks and mortar that make this unit the special place that it is.”
By Wayne Wood
August 20, 2018

Andie Perona, part of the VUMC transplant team, receives double organ transplant

The transplant team surgical technician found herself on the other side of the table as a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient. It transformed her life.
By Tavia Smith
August 14, 2018

Patty Hofstetter came to Vanderbilt as a teenager. She never left — until now.

A conversation with the 41-year veteran nurse upon her retirement.
By Matt Batcheldor
July 23, 2018

NICU nurse overwhelmed by support from co-workers after house fire

The house is gone. Love remains.
By Jessica Pasley