Patient Spotlight Archive — Page 2 of 12

Three people stand in the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center beside a wall sign reading “Clinical Research Center.”
April 20, 2026

Drug lifts ‘brain fog’ from lupus patients: Clinical trial

An estimated 200,000 people in the United States have lupus. About 80% of them experience “brain fog,” cognitive problems that impair learning, memory and attention. The EG501 study was the inaugural project of Vanderbilt Health’s Drug Repurposing program.

By Bill Snyder
Five people pose together indoors beneath a sign reading “VUMC Surgical ICU Great Saves 2025.”
April 8, 2026

Great Saves event reunites former patients with those who provided lifesaving care  

They and their families shared their journeys back to health, from initial illness followed by weeks to months in the SICU, to their ongoing rehabilitation and recovery. 

By Jill Clendening
A multigenerational family of 13 poses outdoors in front of a large moss-covered rock and trees; an older woman stands near the center, surrounded by adults and children.
March 31, 2026

Memorial fund honors patient whose life was saved by Vanderbilt Health neurosurgeons  

Charlotte Davis’ family, grateful for Vanderbilt Health’s role in extending her life, has set up a fund in her memory to support neurosurgical research and patient care.  

By Evan Dorian
Smiling man in a blue shirt photographed outdoors at sunset, with water and a railing in the background.
March 18, 2026

Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine enrolls first Down syndrome participant for Alzheimer’s disease study

Evan Dewey and his family travel from Atlanta to participate in the ABATE study, a clinical trial evaluating a treatment that could reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease development in individuals with Down syndrome

By Danny Bonvissuto
A sleeping newborn lies in a hospital bassinet, wearing pink mittens and covered with a white blanket. A pink sign on the bassinet reads “HELEN,” with visible birth details including “7/19/25,” “8 lbs.,” and “19.5 in.” Medical equipment surrounds the bassinet.
March 6, 2026

A Clarksville nurse’s delivery became a race against time, and two lives were saved

Ariel Chavis felt everything going wrong as she delivered her daughter. But attentive nurses and surgeons ensured she and her baby made it through. 

By Evan Dorian
Compassionate care met determination as burn patient Sean Smith worked toward recovery.
February 20, 2026

Kitchen fire to cap and gown: College senior’s meal prep accident led to 17 days at Vanderbilt Burn Center — and a fight to get back in the gym

Smith was told that his burns couldn’t be fully treated locally so he would be airlifted to either the Vanderbilt Burn Center in Nashville or the University of Louisville.

By Craig Boerner