obituary

February 6, 2025

Mahlon Johnson, former Vanderbilt pathologist whose story was featured on ‘60 Minutes,’ dies at 70

Dr. Johnson was performing an autopsy in 1992 when his hand slipped and he sliced through his protective gloves. He cut his finger and infected himself with AIDS.

By Wayne Wood
February 5, 2025

Richard Heller, knighted by the Queen of Denmark and first chief of Pediatric Radiology at Vanderbilt, dies at 86

Alongside his clinical, teaching, administrative and research work, Dr. Heller was a person of many other interests.

By Wayne Wood
Ridley Wills II
January 21, 2025

Vanderbilt mourns loss of longtime philanthropist and supporter Ridley Wills II

Mr. Wills was noted for his substantial civic contributions to Nashville and his efforts to record and preserve the history of the city that five generations of the Wills family have called home.

By Jill Clendening
Robert E. Richie, MD
January 16, 2025

Kidney transplant leader Robert Richie is mourned

He helped build one of the leading kidney transplant programs in the country, both in terms of the number of transplants performed annually, and in long-term organ function and patient survival rates.

By Wayne Wood and Bill Snyder
December 31, 2024

Harold Jordan, VUMC’s first African American resident, who forged a career in academia and public service, dies at 87

Dr. Jordan was “a Vanderbilt and a civil rights legend.”

By Wayne Wood
Edward Shultz, MD, MS
December 4, 2024

Vanderbilt mourns loss of informatics and HealthIT leader Edward Shultz

His contributions to clinical systems, infrastructure and education have had a lasting impact not only here at Vanderbilt but across the entire field of informatics.

By Mia Garchitorena-Scancarelli
November 14, 2024

Vanderbilt mourns loss of philanthropist, longtime supporter Peggy Warner

Mrs. Warner and the Warner family have provided philanthropic support across a range of areas at the Medical Center, from the Shade Tree Clinic, Vanderbilt’s medical student-run, free clinic, to the Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, among others.
By Jill Clendening
July 18, 2024

Vanderbilt mourns loss of pediatrician Mary Angela Skelton, who played key role in launching neonatal transport program

She served as a fellow to neonatal medicine pioneer Mildred Stahlman, MD, who instructed her to organize a referral transport program for critically ill infants and babies, which was then nicknamed the “Angel” Transport System in Dr. Skelton’s honor.
By Jessica Pasley
July 1, 2024

Vanderbilt mourns the loss of neonatal medicine pioneer Mildred Stahlman

Mildred T. Stahlman, MD, who pioneered the treatment of lung disease in premature infants and who was a tireless advocate of children of all ages, died June 29. She was 101.
By Bill Snyder
June 25, 2024

David Wasserman, groundbreaking researcher into exercise, insulin stimulation and metabolism, dies at 66

A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, his work has important implications for the treatment of diabetes and heart disease.
By Melinda Rogers
June 20, 2024

Renowned Emergency Medicine educator, clinician Keith Wrenn mourned

Dr. Wrenn's clinical skill inspired awe. He taught by example, and his patience, compassion and focus on patient-centered care leaves an indelible impression on trainees and colleagues.
By Paul Govern
March 13, 2024

Robert C. Bone, VUSM graduate and founder of Lebanon hospital, dies at 87

By Wayne Wood
March 12, 2024

VUMC mourns loss of former Dermatology leader George Stricklin

By Paul Govern