Department of Medicine

November 13, 2023

Most can lower blood pressure by reducing salt, even those on BP drugs: study

New research shows nearly everyone can lower their blood pressure, even people currently on blood pressure- reducing drugs, by lowering their sodium intake.

By Bill Snyder
Blood clot simulation
November 10, 2023

Grant to advance prevention of hospital-acquired blood clots

A Vanderbilt team team will develop and test new clinical decision support tools to facilitate timely prevention of potentially lethal hospital-acquired blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism.

By Paul Govern
Nancy Cox, PhD, receives the American Society of Human Genetics Leadership Award from ASHG president Brendan Lee, MD, PhD. Photo courtesy of ASHG.
November 10, 2023

After 40 years, genetics still surprises VUMC’s Nancy Cox

As she looks back on her 40-plus year career, what surprises Nancy Cox, PhD, an internationally known geneticist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is how much progress has been made, and yet how much more there is to learn about the role genetic variation plays in human disease.

By Bill Snyder
November 6, 2023

Powers receives prestigious Veterans Affairs Middleton Award

Alvin C. Powers, MD, Joe C. Davis Professor of Biologic Science and professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, has received the 2023 William S. Middleton Award, the highest honor awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Service.

By Jill Clendening
October 31, 2023

Polygenic ‘scores’ may improve cancer screening

Accounting for genetic variability in biomarkers not associated with cancer risk could avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures, Vanderbilt researchers found.

By Bill Snyder
October 31, 2023

VUMC’s Kimryn Rathmell wins Doris Duke Foundation Paragon Award

Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, chair of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has received the Paragon Award for Research Excellence from the Doris Duke Foundation.

By Bill Snyder
October 27, 2023

Grant bolsters research to address rising maternal mortality rates

Study seeks to better understand the mechanism behind the association between preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular disease.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 26, 2023

Karen Bloch honored for clinical excellence by Infectious Diseases Society of America

Vanderbilt's Karen Bloch, MD, MPH, is one of two winners of the 2023 Watanakunakorn Clinician Award from the Infectious Disease Society of America.
By Paul Govern
October 25, 2023

Study to explore link between salt taste sensitivity and salt intake, hypertension and genetic variations in individuals of African descent

A new study will explore the link between salt taste sensitivity and salt intake, blood pressure, hypertension, and genetic variations in individuals of African descent.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 25, 2023

Immune system’s role in metabolic disease detailed in tissue atlas

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have published the largest known single-site adipose tissue atlas — a comprehensive, detailed map of the cells, structures and molecules within a specific tissue or organ, designed to support open-ended study.
By Paul Govern
October 20, 2023

Bryan Shepherd’s research to validate EHR data receives MERIT Award from the NIH

Vanderbilt's Bryan Shepherd, PhDhas received a MERIT Award, or Method to Extend Research in Time Award, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
By Paul Govern
October 17, 2023

Powers announces plan to step down from key diabetes leadership roles

Alvin C. Powers, MD, has announced plans to step down effective July 1, 2024, as director of the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center, director of the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center, and chief of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism.
By Jill Clendening
October 17, 2023

VISE-affiliated researchers conduct phase 1 trial of novel magnetic endoscope for colonoscopies

A Vanderbilt research team is conducting the first phase 1 clinical trial of a magnetic, flexible endoscope that has the potential to provide a safer alternative to standard colonoscopy, particularly for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
By Jill Clendening