Jill Simmons

Attendees of the Fleming Scholars graduation ceremony. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
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
Jill Simmons, MD, and John Shelley found that adding a genetic measure of height to the evaluation of children with short stature might improve diagnosis and clinical outcomes. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
April 25, 2025

Polygenic score for height could improve diagnosis for children with short stature: study

Even after comprehensive testing, about 30% of children with short stature — height below the third percentile on a growth chart — do not have a definitive diagnosis, leading to extended surveillance, testing and anxiety.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 16, 2024

Study seeks to improve brain health in children with Type 1 diabetes

Children with Type 1 diabetes are at increased risk for neurocognitive complications. Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been selected as one of 11 clinical centers in the United States to evaluate children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for neurocognitive outcomes.

By Jessica Pasley
January 5, 2023

Three elected to the American Pediatric Society

Three physicians in the Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics have been elected to the American Pediatric Society.

By Christina Echegaray
August 11, 2022

National XLH Day

Vanderbilt recently hosted the National XLH (X-linked hypophosphatemia) Day, and more than 200 patients and families attended.

By VUMC News and Communications
August 24, 2017

Council formed to support early career physicians

A physician council has been established to recognize excellence among early career clinicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and to create dialogue between leadership and faculty regarding obstacles to ongoing success.

By VUMC News and Communications
August 17, 2017

Dahir receives grant to support study of rare metabolic disorder

Kathryn Dahir, M.D., associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, recently received the Maher Family Grant from Soft Bones Inc., an organization dedicated to providing information, education and support to those affected by hypophosphatasia (HPP).
By Christina Echegaray
July 21, 2016

Young bone patient’s progress serves as inspiration to others

Janelly Martinez-Amador grabbed headlines and hearts around the world three years ago when news spread of her remarkable fight for survival against a rare metabolic disease at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
By Christina Echegaray
August 13, 2015

Simmons strives to make a difference in children’s lives

Jill Simmons, M.D., encounters medical mysteries that have the makings of a science fiction film or novel.
By Christina Echegaray
June 6, 2013

Bone disease doesn’t slow Kid President’s campaign

Robby Novak has become known to the world as ‘Kid President,’ an online YouTube sensation spreading a message about how people can “make the world more awesome.”
By Christina Echegaray
April 11, 2013

Therapy helps regenerate child’s undeveloped bones

Janelly Martinez-Amador was born with thin, fragile bones, and by 3, she had no visible bones on X-rays. Initially, doctors weren’t sure she would survive her first birthday.
By Christina Echegaray