Patient Spotlight Archive — Page 1 of 12

Harold Scott was the first patient at Vanderbilt Health to receive a transplant of an HIV-positive organ into a HIV-positive recipient. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 17, 2026

Vanderbilt Health transplants first HIV-positive organ into HIV-positive recipient

Harold Scott of Lebanon, Tennessee, received the kidney transplant from a deceased donor in July. He is doing well and wants to spread the word about this new frontier in organ transplantation.

Melissa Glass of Morgantown, Kentucky, had single-port robotic surgery at Vanderbilt Health to remove a cancerous tumor in her colon. The minimally invasive procedure allowed her to recover more quickly and return to activities she loves. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 17, 2026

Single-port, robotic colorectal surgery means patients go home, heal faster

Vanderbilt Health is among the highest volume single-port robotic colorectal surgery programs in the nation. Dozens of established surgeons from around the U.S. have come to train with this team.

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt patient Nolan Queener plays with his beads of courage. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
August 7, 2026

One bead at a time, strung together, tells story of pediatric patients’ health journeys

The Beads of Courage Program provides innovative arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them.

Jason Colee is all smiles after finishing the Great Smoky Mountains 16.2-mile challenge, one of several races he completed following surgery to remove a rare tumor from his spinal cord.
August 6, 2026

Born to run and be there for his family, Jason Colee underwent a high-stakes spinal surgery so he could do both

The procedure was necessary to remove a rare tumorous mass that was nestled inside his spinal cord.

August 3, 2026

New minimally invasive option available for patients with mitral valve disorders

Minimally invasive procedures are relatively quick and painless compared to surgical alternatives, and patients typically require a significantly shorter stay in the hospital to recover.

After having reconstructive surgeries to repair the asymmetry caused by Parry-Romberg syndrome, Tracy Baker now faces the world with more confidence. (photo by Susan Urmy)
July 22, 2026

Adult Cleft and Craniofacial Program rebuilds faces and confidence long after childhood

Tracy Baker thought she just had to live with an asymmetrical face, and then a Vanderbilt Health team gave her a new visage.