Patient Spotlight

October 4, 2024

“Llama Love and M&M’s Forever”: One family’s palliative care experience leads to a lasting expression of gratitude

“The Palliative Care team is a special group of people, and I wouldn’t have wanted to share probably the most devastating week of my life with any other group,” said Jeff. “I’ve been a woodworker for more than 40 years, and I decided I wanted to do something to let them know just how wonderful they are.”

By Jill Clendening
September 19, 2024

One year ago, VUMC nurse Susie Stephens was thrown from a horse and suffered a broken neck. The story of her injury, her recovery — and the day she got back on the horse.

“I wake up every day and wonder why I didn’t die.”

By Wayne Wood
August 13, 2024

Why is there a 1-year-old staffing a booth at the Farmers’ Market? Her mom will be happy to tell you.

Because baby Jocelyn, the youngest of five, was a patient, the whole Scalzo family now sells their farm goods at the weekly market.

By Jessica Pasley
Atrial Fibrillation Precision Research Program clinic team members arrange genetic testing for patients with AFib. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
August 7, 2024

Program arranges genetic testing for AFib patients who may be at risk for inherited cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia syndromes

Without treatment, younger patients may develop other serious cardiac disorders such as heart failure or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

By Matt Batcheldor
August 5, 2024

When he was 3 months old, an eye operation saved Jai Ailawadi’s sight. Now a 20-year-old college student, he returned to say thank you.

“You have changed my life,” the (now grown up) patient said.

By Nancy Humphrey
June 12, 2024

From clinic to comic cons: Team helps nonverbal, nonmobile patient unlock his interviewing voice

Seven years ago, asking questions was not possible. Ivan, who is nonverbal and nonmobile, had no way to communicate. What he was thinking, feeling or wanting was always a “best guess” for his mom.

By Christina Echegaray
May 29, 2024

Robotic pancreatectomy speeds recovery time for retired educator 

He knew he needed complicated surgery, so researching his options, he learned about the Vanderbilt surgical team led by Kamran Idrees, MD, MSCI, MMHC, Ingram Associate Professor of Cancer Research.
By Tom Wilemon
May 17, 2024

A Mother’s Day to remember

Melissia Boynton got the call about 3 a.m. on Mother’s Day that her new heart was available. Immediately, her plans changed from a barbecue around the family pool to a middle-of-the-night drive to Nashville to get her new heart.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 7, 2024

A team approach to care 

LSU baseball fan sporting a new set of lungs after VUMC transplant
By Matt Batcheldor
April 15, 2024

Looking for the coolest place at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt? The new ICEE machine is a welcome oasis.

Patient Emily Rodgers is partial to cherry flavor. “Overall, I just really love it. Oh, and it’s free, which is really nice!”
By Jessica Pasley
March 29, 2024

A gunshot to the head. A long recovery. Then a wedding.

Special Agent Adam Daniels celebrates ongoing recovery after gunshot causes traumatic brain injury; family’s gift will support care of others with similar injuries
By Jill Clendening
March 8, 2024

Scalp cooling allows woman to keep hair during chemotherapy

The Food and Drug Administration first granted marketing approval for the DigniCap system for patients with breast cancer in 2015, then in 2017 the FDA expanded the authorization, making it the first cooling cap cleared for use in cancer patients with solid tumors, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer.
By Tom Wilemon
February 27, 2024

Ballerina dancing again after inspiring recovery from brain tumor

Emily Kneussle, a 20-year-old aspiring professional ballerina, was “born a dancer.” When a tumor in her brain threatened her dreams, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt helped her get back on stage.
By Nancy Humphrey
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