Department of Surgery Archive — Page 1 of 15

Harold Scott was the first patient at Vanderbilt Health to receive a transplant of an HIV-positive organ into a HIV-positive recipient. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 17, 2026

Vanderbilt Health transplants first HIV-positive organ into HIV-positive recipient

Harold Scott of Lebanon, Tennessee, received the kidney transplant from a deceased donor in July. He is doing well and wants to spread the word about this new frontier in organ transplantation.

Melissa Glass of Morgantown, Kentucky, had single-port robotic surgery at Vanderbilt Health to remove a cancerous tumor in her colon. The minimally invasive procedure allowed her to recover more quickly and return to activities she loves. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 17, 2026

Single-port, robotic colorectal surgery means patients go home, heal faster

Vanderbilt Health is among the highest volume single-port robotic colorectal surgery programs in the nation. Dozens of established surgeons from around the U.S. have come to train with this team.

The Innovation Clinic entrance on the first floor of the Medical Arts Building. (photo by Susan Urmy)
September 10, 2026

Innovation Clinic doubles as a working clinic and a proving ground

“The most innovative thing about this clinic is that it exists in the first place. … Now we have a dedicated pilot site for every new thing we want to test.”

Mayur Patel, MD, MPH
August 26, 2026

Mayur Patel receives top honor from Brain Injury Association of America’s Tennessee Chapter

Patel oversees the delivery of trauma, burn, emergency general surgery and critical care, including care for patients sustaining a traumatic brain injury.

August 4, 2026

Carmen Solórzano and David Penson to serve in top surgical posts

Solórzano has been chosen to serve as Interim Chair of the Section of Surgical Sciences, while Penson has been chosen to serve as Interim System Surgeon-in-Chief for Vanderbilt Health.

Joe Northup, MD
July 28, 2026

Joe Northup elected President of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

An ASMBS member since 2005, Northup has served the society as vice president, board member and chair of a committee that aimed to expand insurance coverage for metabolic and bariatric surgery.