Voice

September 19, 2023

Flavia Atkins brings caring and leadership to the patients she guides as a health care navigator

She takes pride not only in guiding patients on their health care journeys but also in serving as a resource who is always available to her fellow navigators

By Leigh MacMillan

Justin Stehr, OTR, CHT, an occupational therapist with the Department of Plastic Surgery’s Division of Hand and Upper Extremity, works with Dawn Reed on neuromuscular re-education of her wrist extensors and grip strength. (photo Susan Urmy)

September 15, 2023

A year of teamwork restores patient’s arm after devastating accident

Hundreds of Vanderbilt Emergency Medicine, Trauma, Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Occupational Therapy clinicians have played a role in saving and restoring the function of patient Dawn Reed’s right arm and hand after a utility terrain vehicle accident.

By Jill Clendening

September 13, 2023

Five Pillar Award recipient Gaye Smith on meetings, respect and one of her proudest accomplishments in 19 years at VUMC

“Respecting every human is essential to being a good human and a good manager.”

By Danny Bonvissuto

September 1, 2023

Holding hands one more time: Compassion and collaboration allow couple to spend the most precious time together

Virginia and Tommy Stevens, both 91, have been married 69 years and this was the time they needed each other the most. Compassionate problem-solving by the Palliative Care Unit and the Trauma Intensive Care Unit teams brought the loving couple together one more time.

By Jill Clendening

August 29, 2023

For VUMC materials management supervisor Kelvin Devane, surgical patients’ needs are top of mind

“I don’t know these people on the table having surgery, but it’s somebody’s dad, somebody’s mom, somebody’s child. I just want to help take care of them.”