Department of Pediatrics

Since 2007, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which includes funding from Hyundai Motor America and local dealerships, has awarded more than $2 million in funding to pediatric cancer researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

The $1 million endowment, established internally, will support the Department of Pediatrics efforts to weave health equity initiatives and strategies throughout clinical care, operations, research and training.

During the address, Cooper focused on Accelerate 2025’s core areas, which include: serving our children, promoting children’s health through discovery and career pathways; ensuring financial fairness; training the next generation; and health equity.

The clinic, Vanderbilt Children’s Primary Care, is expanding from 20,000 square feet to 29,000 with the addition of 13 exam rooms, dedicated consult areas, a checkout area to allow for specialty service scheduling and a devoted learning space for the nearly 80 resident staff members.

Developed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ReVAMPP will support a coordinating center and seven research centers, including VUMC, with a focus on nine virus groups that pose the greatest risk to human health.

In addition to pediatric vaccine evaluation and implementation, the clinical care of patients, and public health advocacy, Edwards has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring many trainees.

While the surgery was a milestone for the hospital, for the pediatric patient and her family, it represented an answer to many prayers.