COVID-19

Vanderbilt women’s basketball player Demi Washington learned she had myocarditis following a cardiac MRI after she contracted COVID-19.
January 21, 2021

Post-COVID MRI reveals basketball player’s heart condition

Two days after Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball guard Demi Washington completed her 10-day isolation for COVID-19, she underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI). It was an extra step that may have saved Washington’s life.

By Jessica Pasley
January 21, 2021

Physician volunteers assisting families of COVID patients

Physicians from all specialties across Vanderbilt University Medical Center are volunteering their time to communicate daily with family members of patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

By Nancy Humphrey
Pneumonia bacteria
January 21, 2021

Study finds genetic clues to pneumonia risk and COVID-19 disparities

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues have identified genetic factors that increase the risk for developing pneumonia and its severe, life-threatening consequences.

By Bill Snyder
January 21, 2021

Poll finds Tennessee parents concerned about education, children’s mental health as COVID-19 presses on

The latest Vanderbilt Child Health Poll release found that many Tennessee parents are worried about the mental health of their children during the COVID-19 pandemic, and over 80% of parents had concerns about their children attending school remotely. The Poll also revealed that schooling practices and mental health concerns have varied widely among Tennessee families of different racial and economic groups.

By Jake Lowary
January 14, 2021

Residents, fellows step up to help care for COVID patients

Following a Thanksgiving surge that led to record numbers of admissions of patients with COVID-19, residents and fellows from multiple disciplines have come together under the direction and supervision of critical care attendings to provide the best care to critically ill patients in Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

By Nancy Humphrey
January 14, 2021

Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions pivots during first year

In early 2020, several groups at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were busy planning an in-person event to announce the creation of Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions, a team designed to provide workforce health and wellness services to businesses of all types and sizes. By March, it was clear that area employers needed a trusted source of information and support to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jamie Roberts
January 14, 2021

Neurology survey reveals high satisfaction for telehealth

A post-visit outpatient survey from VUMC’s Department of Neurology, conducted under an ongoing departmental quality improvement initiative, has turned up additional evidence of high satisfaction with telehealth among both patients and clinicians.
By Paul Govern
January 8, 2021

Large study finds higher burden of acute brain dysfunction for COVID-19 ICU patients

COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care in the early months of the pandemic were subject to a significantly higher burden of delirium and coma than is typically found in patients with acute respiratory failure. Choice of sedative medications and curbs on family visitation played a role in increasing acute brain dysfunction for these patients.
By Paul Govern
December 29, 2020

Medical student addresses food needs during pandemic

“Families being affected by the financial impact of the coronavirus made the subject of food insecurity more important than ever. Children seemed to be a vulnerable population that would benefit from a project like this."
By Emily Stembridge
December 28, 2020

First-person essay: Doing my part to end the pandemic 

I want to particularly encourage the African American community, which has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, to step forward, receive this vaccine and spread the word to your families. Let’s put this pandemic behind us in 2021 — together.
By Kathy Whitney
December 22, 2020

VUMC front-line workers receive special delivery

Cards from local schoolchildren bring special greetings, including "You deserve 100 million candy canes."
By Kristin Smart
December 21, 2020

HERO-TOGETHER study seeks health care workers who receive COVID-19 vaccine

Health care workers, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the first tier of Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees to receive vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
By Kathy Whitney
December 21, 2020

Rounds: A Holiday Gift

Against the noisy background of masking debates, surges, flattening curves, warp speed initiatives, conflicting messages and misinformation, political controversies, not to mention a revolutionary mRNA technology, millions of people are deciding whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
By VUMC News and Communications