Patient Spotlight

Suzanne Duckworth rings the bell in honor of her husband, Matt Duckworth. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 1, 2025

All cancer patients at Vanderbilt-Ingram will have the opportunity to ring the bell 

Seven months after cancer patient Matt Duckworth’s death, the bell pealed loudly at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center infusion clinic as a plaque was unveiled in his honor.

By Tom Wilemon
April 17, 2025

On a spring night in 1987, teenager Mike Harper was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center pinned to a car seat with a fence post through his body. Here is one of the most amazing stories of survival in the history of VUMC.

Mike doesn’t remember the names of all the people who took care of him while he was at VUMC so long ago, but he does have a message for any of them who read this.

By Wayne Wood
April 10, 2025

The little girl suddenly stopped walking and talking. How a terrifying diagnosis led to hope and healing.

“My child is a miracle, and it wouldn’t have happened without that team of doctors and the staff.”

By Jessica Pasley
A year after her lung transplant, Amanda Atkins is back to enjoying hiking, walking her dog and being with family and friends. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
April 8, 2025

Patient’s journey a beacon of hope to those facing a life-changing transplant

Amanda Atkins is sharing her story to give hope to those facing a life-changing transplant and to give thanks to her organ donor who made it all possible.

By Matt Batcheldor
Patient Heather Burich with her husband, Alex.
March 4, 2025

‘That’s the most scared I’ve been:’ 23 weeks pregnant with a heart condition.

Heather Burich had just driven to Clarksville after an appointment on Vanderbilt Health’s Nashville campus when she got a call from a doctor she was yet to meet. The news about her echocardiogram results was alarming.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 25, 2025

Gatlin Winter was in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant. His wife Ashlynn was in labor with their first baby. Could he get to her side?

With the help of the team from Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, yes he could.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 2, 2025

2025 New Year’s baby Siora Ray arrives only 12 minutes after midnight

First baby at VWCH: Cash Mitchell; first baby at VTHH: Gwennyth Trinity Grace Freeze-Stele.
By Bill Snyder
December 12, 2024

Go inside the lab as Maddie Wright, a CF warrior, ‘geeks out’ over the science of Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories 

A 17-year-old cystic fibrosis warrior and liver transplant recipient with antibiotic resistance got to see science in action at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories.
By Jessica Pasley and Erin O. Smith
December 9, 2024

Two years after being hit by a car crossing James Robertson Parkway, Betsy Williams climbs the Capitol steps to thank everyone at VUMC who helped save her life

"The list of miracles is long," she says.
By Danny Bonvissuto
November 26, 2024

Patient’s family experiences healing power of music

Music therapy focuses on the use of music to help patients with chronic pain, physical rehabilitation, psychiatric symptoms, end of life, procedural support and coping with hospitalization and disease.
By Jessica Pasley
November 7, 2024

Transplant patient’s indomitable spirit proves inspirational

Bill Jackson received a heart and double lung transplant, an unusual procedure performed only a handful of times each year at VUMC and one that can occur at only the most specialized transplant centers.
By Matt Batcheldor
November 1, 2024

‘Ava got a heart’: the best news a family could share about the baby approaching her first birthday

The phone call that brought her father to his knees
By Jessica Pasley
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