Patient Spotlight

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
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