COVID-19

December 21, 2020

Tennessee’s uninsured children have doubled since 2019 and 2 in 5 live with food insecurity, poll finds

In fall 2020, 9% of Tennessee children were uninsured, more than twice the level at the same time in 2019, according to a new poll conducted by the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy. Just 4% of children were uninsured in fall 2019, the poll found.

By Jake Lowary
December 17, 2020

Clinic uses new weapon to treat high-risk COVID patients

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has a new weapon in the fight against COVID-19 — an investigational antibody treatment approved last month for emergency use in COVID-19 outpatients at high risk of developing severe disease or requiring hospital care.

By Bill Snyder
December 17, 2020

COVID-associated delays for elective services studied

This spring in the U.S., there were widespread delays in elective health care procedures and screenings. Hospitals, in observance of federal guidelines, were, for a time, conserving beds and protective equipment in preparation for a surge in COVID-19 admissions. And, perhaps on a more prolonged basis, patients in many areas of the country stayed away due to anxiety over catching COVID-19 from other patients or their health care team.

By Paul Govern
The “orange team,” led by Buddy Creech, MD, director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, assembles in the old Clinical Research Center space in Medical Center North on the first day of the phase 3 Moderna vaccine study this summer.
December 16, 2020

Coronavirus ‘crusaders’ spur VUMC research achievements

The development of the vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that ultimately will defeat COVID-19 wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the unflagging and selfless efforts of a global army of research nurses, laboratory personnel, recruiters and other staff.

By Bill Snyder
December 11, 2020

Students were not able to sing carols in person this year at the hospital. So they brought holiday music via video.

“It’s a tradition for us as well as for the Medical Center. We wanted to bring that same holiday cheer this year.”

By Wayne Wood
December 10, 2020

Vanderbilt LifeFlight sees large increase in Covid-19 transports

Vanderbilt LifeFlight has transported more than 220 Covid-19 patients since the pandemic started with the numbers rising dramatically in the last few weeks.

By Jerry Jones
December 10, 2020

Study sheds light on diabetes and COVID interaction

COVID-19 has been linked to cases of new-onset diabetes, diabetes-related emergencies and a higher death rate among diabetes patients.
By Bill Snyder
December 8, 2020

Poll shows fewer than 6 in 10 Tennessee parents report wearing masks all the time, nearly half won’t vaccinate their children for COVID-19

Many Tennessee parents are not wearing masks consistently to control community spread of COVID-19, despite recommendations from public health officials, according to new a poll conducted by the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy.
By Jake Lowary
December 4, 2020

Researchers urge priority vaccination for individuals with diabetes due to increased COVID-19 impact

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have discovered individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes infected with COVID-19 are three times more likely to have a severe illness or require hospitalization compared with people without diabetes.
By Jill Clendening
December 1, 2020

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Crowe receives 2020 “Golden Goose” Award for COVID-19 research

James Crowe Jr., MD, a physician-scientist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who has pioneered development of human monoclonal antibodies as potential treatments for viral diseases, has won a 2020 “Golden Goose” Award.
By Bill Snyder
November 30, 2020

Rounds: Pouring a cup of ambition as the journey wears on

In the midst of a long, hard trek, we are inclined to focus on the miles remaining — forgetting all the terrain we’ve already conquered. Taking a few moments to reflect on where we started and how far we’ve come can replenish resilience, restoring vital energy to keep moving.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 23, 2020

Is it true that work on a COVID-19 vaccine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was funded by Dolly Parton?

Funds from her gift have supported important advancements in VUMC’s war on COVID
November 23, 2020

NCI director urges action to address delayed cancer diagnoses

Delayed cancer diagnoses and treatment due to concerns about potential coronavirus exposure will lead to collateral deaths beyond the pandemic, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Ned Sharpless, MD, said Thursday during a virtual visit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Tom Wilemon