Division of Allergy Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Members of the Vanderbilt Health team are evaluating the efficacy of the immunomodulatory drug baricitinib for treating the persistent neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms of long COVID. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 6, 2026

Vanderbilt Health to lead expanded multisite study of immunomodulation in long COVID

The public health burden of long COVID is estimated to be the largest seen from an emerging disease in the past century, yet there remain no effective interventions.

By Jill Clendening
Stokes Peebles, MD, right, Mark Rusznak, PhD, and their colleagues have identified a potential drug target for treating asthma. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 4, 2026

Broad genetic study reveals new drug target for asthma

The findings could bring relief to the more than 26 million people in the United States with asthma, a chronic and complex inflammatory disease of the airways.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
January 15, 2026

Immunometabolism may be a key to controlling sepsis: study

This discovery may lead to new ways to block metabolic changes contributing to excessive and ineffective inflammation, reset the immune system, and bring sepsis under control.

By Bill Snyder
January 5, 2026

Anna Hemnes named chair of Department of Medicine and system physician-in-chief for Vanderbilt Health

She will serve as the 11th chair of the Department of Medicine and system physician-in-chief for Vanderbilt Health. Her appointment was effective Jan. 1.

By John Howser
December 10, 2025

Sedative choice could improve outcomes for breathing tube patients

It’s the first study to demonstrate cardiovascular risks of high doses of ketamine (low blood pressure, arrhythmia), side effects that have not been well studied in the past.

By Craig Boerner
An initiative at VUMC is helping patients recover more quickly from major surgery, leave the hospital earlier and have fewer side effects from their pain management. (photo by Joe Howell)
December 2, 2025

Ketamine fails surgical recovery trial

In a large, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, the pain reliever ketamine posed side effects while failing to aid patient recovery after major surgery.

By Paul Govern
October 22, 2025

New sepsis therapy developed at VUMC edges closer to the clinic

Jacek Hawiger and his colleagues report that a “peptide genomic therapy” given in combination with an antibiotic nearly doubles survival rates from sepsis in an animal model, compared to treatment with antibiotic alone.
By Bill Snyder
September 11, 2025

Stokes Peebles steps down as section chief of Allergy after 15 Years of leadership

During his tenure, he grew the section into a nationally recognized center for excellence in clinical care, research and education.
By Kylie Avery
May 20, 2025

Lung researchers at VUMC win prestigious fellowships

They are Scott McCall, MD, PhD, instructor in Medicine, and Kevin Seitz, MD, MSc, assistant professor of Medicine.
By Bill Snyder
May 18, 2025

Study finds navigational bronchoscopy as effective and safer alternative to transthoracic biopsy for lung nodules  

Each year, millions of lung nodules are detected during routine X-rays or CT scans.
By Craig Boerner and Holly Fletcher 
March 11, 2025

Thinking outside the (voice) box: VUMC surgeons have all the pieces in place for the complex puzzle of laryngeal transplantation 

Only a few laryngeal transplants have been successfully performed in the United States. Now, surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are ready for their first patient.
By Evan Dorian
February 14, 2025

VUMC honors four translational scientists

Translational research brings discoveries from the laboratory and preclinical studies to clinical trials and studies in humans.
By Bill Snyder
February 3, 2025

VUMC study takes closer look at how pulmonary fibrosis unfolds

The research could point to future therapeutic strategies that treat PF patients based on their individual stage of cellular and molecular remodeling.
By Nancy Humphrey