Patient Spotlight

February 27, 2020

Randy Hatch has dedicated his life to teaching and coaching at-risk young people. After his lifesaving liver transplant, they lined the halls to welcome him back.

His beloved Carroll Academy Jaguars and Lady Jaguars honor him with a message on their shirts: “Donate Life.”

By Matt Batcheldor
February 24, 2020

Richard Hosner knew he needed a liver transplant. It turned out he needed a kidney, too. On one amazing day, he received both.

The pair of complex surgeries took 13 hours. When he woke up, he felt like a new person. Since 2011, there have been 38 liver-kidney transplants at VUMC, helping establish Vanderbilt as one of the leading sites in the country for multiple-organ transplants.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 24, 2020

Patients and families benefit from new activity book — and the volunteer who brings it

Puzzles, mazes, coloring pages and other fun help pass the time

By Kelsey Herbers
January 13, 2020

Five surgeries in nine days. A month in intensive care. An amazing recovery.

Kyle Mullicane’s is the only medical story you will read today that features a hallucination taking place in a Vegas steakhouse.

By Matt Batcheldor
December 23, 2019

Last New Year’s Day, Gregory Tidwell was in a coma. At the beginning of 2020, he is doing much better

“It has made me ecstatically happy to watch him get better,” his mom said.

By Kelsey Herbers
November 27, 2019

In 1994, Harold “Scottie” Scott’s HIV-positive status was covered on the local news. He has been an educator ever since.

Now, 25 years after his announcement, Scott’s mission remains the same: to educate others on the history of HIV, dispel myths and break down stigma.

By Kelsey Herbers
November 18, 2019

Madalyn Durbin’s dad just had a double lung transplant; surely there was no way he could make it to her wedding.

Never underestimate a father’s determination to be there for his daughter. As Madalyn started down the aisle, Terry stepped out and took her hand.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 8, 2019

Children’s Hospital patient and his grandmother write a book with a message: “I am just like you, but different”

Ryan told his grandmother about the way other people looked at him. She didn't want him to experience that anymore.
By Jessica Pasley
September 30, 2019

Her dad needed a kidney; hers didn’t match. But through paired donation, her dad got a kidney and so did another person in need.

Her blood type was B and his was A. So they went to Plan B.
By Matt Batcheldor
September 16, 2019

As a child, Andrea Pitts was severely burned. As an adult, she provides “Boxes of Love” to burn patients.

A few gifts and an encouraging note from somebody who's been there
By Tavia Smith
August 13, 2019

Tricia Burgess thought she had seasonal allergies. She actually needed a heart transplant.

“I didn’t even know I was sick. I’m thankful that Vanderbilt saved my life.”
By Matt Batcheldor
July 25, 2019

Couple’s transplant journey continues by helping others

Elizabeth “Betsy” Barbour and her late husband, Richard, created a fund to help support Vanderbilt’s lung transplant patient assistance fund.
By Nancy Humphrey
July 24, 2019

Patient who was too sick to attend daughter’s graduation recovering after double lung transplant

Bridget Perez could barely walk a few steps. Now she's walking laps at the Dayani Center track and marveling at how it feels to breathe again.
By Tavia Smith
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