Department of Medicine

Martha Shepherd, DO, MPH, medical director, Vanderbilt Health at MNPS, and David Hines, MNPS executive director of Benefits, helped design and oversee cost-saving wellness benefits for MNPS teachers. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 25, 2025

Metro Nashville Public Schools’ culture of wellness bolsters employee health, cuts costs

The MNPS Certificated Employee Health Plan covers 6,500 in collaboration with Vanderbilt Health active teachers plus 11,500 retirees and dependents.

By Bill Snyder
February 24, 2025

Leadership announced for Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

An interim plan has been announced to fill the roles held by Alvin C. Powers, MD, in Vanderbilt’s Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

By Jill Clendening
February 20, 2025

Experts publish action plan to address appendiceal cancer enigmas

They have identified key research priority areas to deliver a fundamental understanding of appendiceal tumors and to improve treatments and outcomes for patients.

By Tom Wilemon
Heart transplant patient Scot Pollard and his wife, Dawn. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 17, 2025

VUMC designated as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Resuscitation

Hospitals that earn ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms.

By Matt Batcheldor
This year’s awardees are, from left, Stokes Peebles, MD, Ravi Shah, MD, John Gore, PhD, and Jeffrey Davidson, PhD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 14, 2025

VUMC honors four translational scientists

Translational research brings discoveries from the laboratory and preclinical studies to clinical trials and studies in humans.

By Bill Snyder
February 6, 2025

Waddell Walker Hancock Cancer Discovery Fund names two more scholars 

The funds will support Justin Balko’s research on breast cancer and Kathleen DelGiorno’s research on pancreatic cancer.
By Tom Wilemon
February 3, 2025

VUMC study takes closer look at how pulmonary fibrosis unfolds

The research could point to future therapeutic strategies that treat PF patients based on their individual stage of cellular and molecular remodeling.
By Nancy Humphrey
February 3, 2025

Vanderbilt Health to acquire Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville cardiology practice

Vanderbilt patients will have close-to-home access to all aspects of preventive cardiology, assessment of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, rather than having to drive to Nashville.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 28, 2025

Inherited gene elevates prostate cancer risk in affected families

The inherited mutated gene WNT9B, which functions normally in embryonic prostate development, increases risk of adult prostate cancer.
By Craig Boerner
January 23, 2025

$20 million grant supports sweeping study of human viruses

Most of the more than 200 species of viruses known to reside in humans remain poorly understood, and new ones are being discovered every few months.
By Paul Govern
January 23, 2025

Elite society honors two VUMC physician-scientists

The Young Physician-Scientist Award recognizes “notable achievements” by researchers who are within five years of their first faculty appointment.
By Bill Snyder
January 15, 2025

Study in multiancestry populations uncovers new insights into breast cancer genetics 

The study identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not previously reported.
By Tom Wilemon