Employee Spotlight

February 15, 2021

Patients’ stories motivate Lizzie Simonds, the only paramedic working in VUMC’s COVID unit

She remembers one man who was scared and couldn’t rest: “I spent 45 minutes…sitting next to him, holding his hand so he felt safe enough to try to sleep for a little bit.”

By Wayne Wood
February 9, 2021

VUMC Valentines: They met at employee orientation, the proposal was in Langford Auditorium, the wedding is set for next year

Camille Allison and Tyler Deresky didn’t learn much about policy or parking permits, but orientation was the start of something beautiful

By Jill Clendening
February 8, 2021

The Christmas bombing cut a patient off from her vital medications. Specialty pharmacy technician Nikki Auen was there to help.

“We will always advocate for our patients in any way we can. It’s just what we do.”

By Emily Stembridge
December 22, 2020

VUMC front-line workers receive special delivery

Cards from local schoolchildren bring special greetings, including “You deserve 100 million candy canes.”

By Kristin Smart
November 17, 2020

On the front lines of COVID with a word and a prayer

Sherry Perry knows what it’s like to have COVID, and she brings her experience to patients and families as chaplain on VUMC’s COVID unit

By Wayne Wood
November 17, 2020

Kevin Johnson and Reed Omary want to put a podcast in your ear

Faculty members’ podcasts focus on biomedical informatics and future design of health care

By Paul Govern
November 13, 2020

VUMC employee attends honor walk for her brother, becomes passionate organ donation advocate

Her brother Taylor's death was heartbreaking, but Anna Lorenz is determined to inspire others with his example
By Matt Batcheldor
October 13, 2020

Love in the time of COVID: two VUMC research nurses’ pandemic wedding

Guests got a gift bag including toilet paper and a mask. “It was different but we still had fun."
By Matt Batcheldor
October 2, 2020

The doctor’s closet was a mess. Her friends conspired to have a Netflix show organize it for her.

Whitney Browning, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital, is featured on the Netflix show "Getting Organized with the Home Edit" thanks to her sneaky friends
By Christina Echegaray
September 21, 2020

David Hansen is a doctor, pianist and composer. His gift of music is lifting spirits, including in the COVID unit.

He has made his songs of healing available to patients in Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital
By Wayne Wood
September 8, 2020

Vanderbilt ER nurse receives wedding surprise from “Say Yes to the Dress”

Holly Beth Jones will receive a wedding gown from the show, which is honoring front-line health care workers
By Leigh MacMillan
August 5, 2020

Greg Rhinehart’s 3-D printing hobby comes to the rescue to repair respirator masks

He figured out how to make a four-cent part that repairs $1,500 personal protective equipment for COVID caregivers
By Matt Batcheldor
August 5, 2020

COVID unit nurse speaks from the heart about the impact of the disease and the importance of masking

At the mayor's press conference Cody Hamilton told of the toll COVID takes on those who have the disease, and those who care for them
By Matt Batcheldor