Department of Pediatrics

Jamie Phillips, MHA
September 9, 2025

Jamie Phillips named President of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

She brings nearly 30 years of experience in health care administration to Monroe Carell, the past seven of which have been in a chief operating officer role.

By John Howser
William Cooper, MD, MPH
September 9, 2025

William Cooper named Senior Vice President for Professionalism and Clinical Excellence 

He will be responsible for promoting and ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and performance among faculty, clinical staff, trainees and students throughout the health system.

By Holly Fletcher
September 5, 2025

AI tools could shorten ‘diagnostic odyssey’ for patients with rare diseases

Large language models achieved diagnostic rates of 13.3% and 10.0%, compared to the historical clinical review rate of 5.6%, and they suggested next steps to evaluate the suggested diagnoses.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 2, 2025

NFL webinar to address player health and safety for all ages

The webinar will bring together a group of experts from the youth, high school and college levels — including Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, director of the Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center.

By Craig Boerner
Among those involved in the gun lock safety program are, from left, Heather Kreth, PsyD, left, Erica Shannon and Kelsey Gastineau, MD, MPH. (photo by Donn Jones)
August 27, 2025

Be SMART campaign highlights efforts to reduce firearm incidents involving children

The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage — storing guns unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition — can save children’s lives.

By Jessica Pasley
Michael R. DeBaun, MD, MPH
August 19, 2025

Vanderbilt’s Michael R. DeBaun elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

This year, 247 members were elected from the mathematical, physical, biological, social and behavioral sciences, humanities, the arts, leadership, policy and communications.

By Bill Snyder
August 12, 2025

Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant to advance research on long-term mental and cognitive health of pediatric cancer survivors

Hyundai Hope on Wheels has awarded more than $2 million in funding to pediatric cancer researchers at Monroe Carell since 2007.
By Christina Echegaray
August 11, 2025

Alex Diamond named to national Health and Safety Advisory Council

The advisory council is a part of the National Council of Youth Sports, a leading organization representing youth sports in the United States.
By Jessica Pasley
August 11, 2025

Vanderbilt’s Jim Johns, Rosemary Hunter honored by the American Academy of Pediatrics

James (Jim) Johns, MD, pediatric cardiologist, and Rosemary Hunter, MD, general pediatrician, will be honored during the 2025 TNAAP Excellence in Pediatrics Annual Awards.
By Christina Echegaray
August 8, 2025

Fleming Society welcomes new graduates and is accepting nominations for 2025-2027 cohort

The Fleming Society, established in 2021, is named in honor of Geoffrey Fleming, MD, former professor of Pediatrics, whose passion for mentorship and medical education inspired this program.
By Aidan Hoyal
August 4, 2025

Researchers debunk long-standing concern about flu treatment in children

The findings demonstrated what many pediatricians have long suspected: that the flu, not the flu treatment (Tamiflu), is associated with neuropsychiatric events.
By Jessica Pasley
July 8, 2025

Vanderbilt, Parse Biosciences scientists envision an antibody ‘atlas’ for measles, mumps, rubella

Researchers will scan the landscape of plasmablasts, the first antibody-producing, B-type immune cells that respond to MMR infection.
By Bill Snyder
July 7, 2025

Experts offer tips on dealing with ticks this summer

Four tick-borne illnesses are most common in Tennessee, including spotted fever rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
By Jessica Pasley