Patient Spotlight

June 25, 2025

First pediatric liver-pancreas dual transplant performed in Tennessee

Phone call changes the life of family whose daughter with cystic fibrosis needed both a liver and pancreas transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
Lung transplant patient Michelle Ankele-Yamashita. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
June 18, 2025

Transplant patient’s long journey brings her from the Aloha State to the Volunteer State

She was turned down by multiple transplant centers between Honolulu and Nashville, deemed too sick, before the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program accepted her as a patient.

By Matt Batcheldor
June 16, 2025

From stadium to stents, quick response saves soccer fan

When her evening pivoted from cheering for Nashville Soccer Club to suffering a heart attack, well-coordinated teams kept Leigh Anne Clark’s heart and life safe.

By Jill Clendening
Patient Monroe Peterson inspired the creation of the MVP Challenge to raise funds supporting children’s cancer treatment and research.
June 12, 2025

The real MVP: Fitness challenge raises funds in honor of 4-year-old cancer patient

The fitness challenge raised funds to support pediatric cancer research, training and care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Sarah Thornton
May 28, 2025

School staff and friends bring graduation joy to hospitalized fifth grader 

To prepare for his graduation ceremony, Carter Williamson had his own goal. He wanted to walk across the stage to accept his diploma. 

By Jessica Pasley
Patient Van Sung with her parents, Nathan and Rem Kumthar. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 28, 2025

Medical team uses nontraditional therapy to help give young patient a chance at making it to heart transplant

The team used an Impella, a catheter-based miniature ventricular assist device. It offered the best chance of getting rising eighth-grader Van Sung to transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
May 19, 2025

Saved by an angel — in Aldi

Steve Glaeser fell in an Aldi supermarket; a Vanderbilt Health critical care nurse saved his life.
By John Howser
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
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
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
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