Department of Medicine

Patient Kathy Wilcox, here with her husband, John, is an avid flyer with an indefatigable zest for life; a quality that has not been shaken by her cancer diagnoses.
September 27, 2024

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center part of new ‘Rewriting Cancer’ series

Launched Sept. 17-19 during the World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, “Rewriting Cancer” aims to enhance understanding and inspire audiences by exploring the most innovative, inclusive and impactful solutions for cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care globally.

By Tom Wilemon
(iStock image)
September 27, 2024

Minor early changes in lungs can signal changes in progressive lung disease

The research focused on the very early stages of FPF, a serious progressive lung disease where for unknown reasons scar tissue builds up in the lungs over time.

By Nancy Humphrey
Alexander Bick, MD, PhD, and Nancy Cox, PhD. (photo by Donn Jones)
September 25, 2024

Alexander Bick named head of Genetic Medicine

Bick will succeed Nancy Cox, PhD, who has led Genetic Medicine since she came to VUMC in 2015. Genetic Medicine is one of 13 divisions in the Department of Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
Co-principal investigators of the genomic-enabled learning health system coordinating center and clinical site are, front row from left, Carolyn Audet, PhD, Alexander Bick, MD, PhD, and Sunil Kripalani, MD, MSc, and, back row from left, Wesley Self, MD, MPH, Josh Peterson, MD, MPH, and Dan Roden, MD. (photo by Susan Urmy)
September 24, 2024

‘Learning’ network will help move genomics into the clinic

A real-world learning health system was established at VUMC a decade ago. Now, the National Human Genome Research Institute is awarding two five-year grants totaling $12 million to support VUMC’s participation in, and coordination of, a genomic-enabled learning health system (gLHS) network.

By Bill Snyder
Image of the U.S., with markers that note cities where the Home Owners’ Loan Corp. conducted a city survey of impacted areas. (Source: Mapping Inequality)
September 24, 2024

Poverty rates linked to asthma in ‘redlined’ areas

Neighborhoods that were discriminated against, called ‘redlined areas,’ are known to have higher levels of air pollution from industry and vehicles, especially diesel-fueled trucks, buses and cars.

By Craig Boerner
Melinda Aldrich, PhD, MPH
September 20, 2024

Melinda Aldrich elected to genetics society board of directors

Aldrich uses population-based cohorts and biobanks to investigate lung cancer; her research informed guidelines for lung cancer screening.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 20, 2024

VUMC physician-scientists recognized for extending veterans’ lung cancer screening

Lucy Spalluto, MD, MPH, and Jennifer Lewis, MD, MS, MPH, are the recipients of the 2024 VAQS Team Award for work they began in 2017.
By Bill Snyder
September 18, 2024

Clinic marks 10th year of diagnosis and treatment of drug allergies

The clinic, celebrating its 10th year, has seen groundbreaking discoveries in personalized care and diagnosis for allergy, especially delayed drug allergy, and has advanced discoveries in the optimal process to test patients for drug allergies.
By Nancy Humphrey
September 11, 2024

Kelly Dooley’s TB research receives MERIT Award from the NIH  

Researchers must continually chase funding for their work. Kelly Dooley's prestigious award from the NIH is intended to help provide respite from that chase.
By Paul Govern
September 9, 2024

Peptide discovery could advance treatment of high blood pressure

VUMC researchers found that peptides modified by highly reactive compounds called isolevuglandins activated T cells and promoted hypertension in mice. Their first-ever isolation of such peptides is a step toward potentially intervening in this pathologic process.
By Bill Snyder
September 6, 2024

American College of Cardiology lauds VUMC’s care for heart attack patients

The award program “recognizes hospitals participating in the registry who have demonstrated sustained, top-level performance in quality of care and adherence to guideline recommendations."
By Matt Batcheldor
September 4, 2024

Bacterial metabolism plays role in staph antibiotic tolerance

Staph is a leading bacterial cause of death from bloodstream, bone and joint infections, in part because of high rates of antibiotic treatment failure.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 29, 2024

Study finds human milk component may protect adult intestinal health

The research may lead to new treatments for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and mucositis, a severe complication of chemotherapy.
By Bill Snyder