Department of Pediatrics

November 17, 2025

New grant supports epilepsy study in Africa’s Sahel region

In this area, treatment gaps affect up to 96% of patients, leaving millions without care. The project is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH. 

By Kristin Centers
November 17, 2025

VUMC’s Robert Carnahan named a 2025 Master Innovator

He is a translational scientist and antibody engineer who specializes in rapid therapeutic development for emerging infectious diseases.

Hoyt Summerville walks on the GAITRite device while Ken Swantek PT, DPT, looks on. (photo by Susan Urmy)
November 17, 2025

New device collects data to measure gait, informing physical therapy programs, custom orthotic design

The mat, a portable, single-layer, pressure-sensitive walkway, takes precise measurements and collects data to measure multiple parameters of gait.

By Matt Batcheldor
(Adobe Stock)
November 13, 2025

Study finds that guidelines helped reduce food allergy rates in children

Food allergies have significantly dropped since the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases adopted new guidelines in 2017, two years after the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy trial.

By Jessica Pasley
The My Health Passport research team examined how well a patient engagement tool helped patients who were admitted to the hospital with behavioral health needs. (Pictured from left to right, top to bottom): Dorinda Brown, MSEd, Patti Runyan, DNP, MBA, RN, Delana Vallery, MA, Jessika Boles, PhD, CCLS, and Andrea Hughie, MSN, RN. (photo by Donn Jones)
November 12, 2025

‘My Health Passport’ gives pediatric patients a voice in behavioral health care

Study finds that individual planning tool helps children feel supported when in the hospital during a behavioral health crisis.

By Christina Echegaray
November 11, 2025

Drug resistant infections are on the rise: Experts emphasize education, awareness

Teams at VUMC and Monroe Carell are focused on reaching more clinicians, patients and families through the Vanderbilt Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

By Jessica Pasley
November 10, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt honors Scott and Sandi Borchetta

Longtime supporters of Monroe Carell, the Borchettas’ latest philanthropy builds on their ongoing commitment to the hospital’s NICU services.
By Paige Turner
October 30, 2025

Close to Home: How specialized pediatric services are transforming Middle Tennessee 

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center is the only distinct pediatric emergency department and dedicated inpatient unit outside of downtown Nashville.
By Holly Fletcher
October 30, 2025

Program shows students that distracted driving can take many forms

Research has found that dialing a phone number while driving increases a teen's risk of crashing by six times, and texting while driving increases the risk by 23 times.
By Jessica Pasley
October 7, 2025

Human milk pasteurization method impacts preterm infant microbiome

Researchers used whole-metagenome sequencing to assess the composition, diversity and functional enrichment of the preterm infant gut microbiome — the microorganisms that aid digestion, immune function and metabolism.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 25, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt offer tips for parents to spot warning signs amid rising suicide rate concerns 

There has been a growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents in Tennessee, where the suicide death rate among youth (ages 5-17) is 13.6% higher than the national average.
By Christina Echegaray
September 16, 2025

Juan Salazar delivers first State of the Department of Pediatrics address

The new chair celebrated the department’s achievements and growth for the past year and set a vision for the future.
By Christina Echegaray
September 12, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recognized for excellence in treating pediatric cardiomyopathy

The Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Program is one of the largest in the country treating patients with heart problems from before birth through adulthood.
By Christina Echegaray