Patient and Family Choice Award Archive — Page 1 of 2

Six hospital team members pose together, with one holding a Patient and Family Choice Award plaque, in front of a presentation screen and decorated award table.
October 30, 2026

For Ed Moyers, physical therapy means treating the whole person

The 2026 Patient and Family Choice Award honors a Vanderbilt Tullahome-Harton Hospital therapist who combines clinical excellence with unwavering compassion.

By Owen Irving
Two men stand indoors holding a plaque labeled “CHOICE AWARD” and “Dr. Robert N. Piana, MD.” The man on the right wears a stethoscope and blue vest.
October 12, 2026

From international finance to cardiology: Robert Piana found his passion serving patients

Patients praise the longtime Vanderbilt cardiologist for his compassion, expertise and relentless commitment to finding solutions.

By Matt Batcheldor
Two smiling healthcare workers stand indoors; the woman holds a wooden plaque reading “The Patient and Family Choice Award,” with “Stacey K. Affeldt, DPT” and “2025–2026” visible.
October 12, 2026

Pelvic floor physical therapist Stacey Affeldt treats the whole person, not just the physical problem

“She made it clear that she genuinely cares about her patients as people, not just as cases,” wrote a patient who nominated Affeldt for a Patient and Family Choice Award.

By Leigh MacMillan
Five adults pose in front of a Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt backdrop. The woman in a pink dress holds a wooden Patient Family Choice Award plaque, flanked by two men and a woman wearing hospital identification badges.
September 1, 2026

For Mary Romano, caring for teens is more than a career. It’s a calling.

Patients and families recognized the adolescent medicine physician for her compassionate approach, steadfast advocacy and commitment to helping teens navigate life’s challenges.

By Christina Echegaray
Paul B. Dressler, MD, MPH, poses indoors holding a plaque labeled “The Patient and Family Choice Award,” with a hospital waiting area in the background.
January 15, 2026

How a summer job sparked Paul Dressler’s career in developmental medicine

The Patient and Family Choice Award recipient shares why developmental medicine is never just about protocols.

By Danny Bonvissuto
Greyson Hammons, RN, BSN, smiles while holding a framed Patient and Family Choice Award plaque in a decorated indoor setting. The plaque identifies Vanderbilt Behavioral Health and displays “2024–2025.”
December 31, 2025

From medical-surgical nursing to behavioral health, Greyson Hammons finds her calling in helping patients heal

Hammons, a 2025 Patient and Family Choice Award recipient, was honored for her compassion.

By Jessica Pasley