Reporter April 5 2019

Upgrade to bring enhanced features, functionality to eStar

Apr. 4, 2019—In the early morning hours of April 7, eStar, the Epic-based electronic health record (EHR) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, will undergo its first major upgrade since the system went live in a coordinated “Big Bang” across most of the Medical Center in November 2017.

Report seeks to streamline EHR de-identification

Apr. 4, 2019—Over the past few decades the electronic health record (EHR) has become an object of intensive study, opening new ground in biomedical research. Natural language sections of the EHR, such as physician’s notes and health team messages, are a rich vein for research, but patient privacy considerations entail first scrubbing patient identifiers from these notes and messages. Historically, this has been accomplished through large, complex software systems that are expensive to develop and maintain.

Tobacco-control initiatives were the focus of a panel discussion at the spring Research into Policy and Practice Lecture. Panelists included, from left, Caroline Young, Jim Hobart, Hilary Tindle, MD, MPH, Chris Sherwin, State Sen. Shane Reeves, and Melinda Buntin, PhD.

Panel explores tobacco-control legislation efforts

Apr. 4, 2019—Tobacco control legislative initiatives in Tennessee and other states were discussed during the spring Research into Policy and Practice Lecture sponsored by the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and NashvilleHealth.

Mohana Karlekar, MD, medical director of the Palliative Care program, right, teaches medical and nursing students about how to have positive conversations with patients about advance directives for healthcare.

Events to focus on education about advance directives

Apr. 4, 2019—Health care professionals throughout the United States are encouraging patients and their families to document their preferences related to their health care during an awareness campaign known as National Healthcare Decisions Day, celebrated on Tuesday, April 16. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is hosting several events for employees to promote the importance of completing an advance directive for health care.

Society of Urologic Oncology honors Smith’s contributions

Apr. 4, 2019—Joseph “Jay” Smith Jr., MD, professor of Urologic Surgery, has been awarded the 2019 Willet F. Whitmore Jr. Award and Lectureship from the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO).

Head and neck cancer screening event set for April 12

Apr. 4, 2019—Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer greatly increases odds of survival, but its symptoms can be subtle or mimic viral infections, so Vanderbilt Health offers a free screening annually.

Harvard’s Gaziano set for April 11 clinical pharmacology lecture

Apr. 4, 2019—J. Michael Gaziano, MD, MPH, an internationally recognized chronic disease epidemiologist, will deliver the 15th annual Grant R. Wilkinson Distinguished Lectureship in Clinical Pharmacology on Thursday, April 11.

Award-winning vocal group Rascal Flatts, longtime supporters of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, received a star on the hospital’s Walk of Champions. Here, from left, the Rascal Flatts trio — Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney — pose alongside their new star with Children’s Hospital patients Caroline Lantz and Jessica Meyer.

Rascal Flatts honored with ‘Walk of Champions’ star

Apr. 4, 2019—Legendary vocal group Rascal Flatts was honored with a star on the Walk of Champions at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for the band’s longtime commitment to patients and families. Presenting the award were representatives from Live Nation and Children’s Hospital.

From left, VUMC administrative leaders Zeena Abdulahad, MPA, Sarah Hagovsky, MBA, Renee Boggs, MSN, RN, CPN, and Teresa Dail, RN, CMRP, recently participated in the Women’s History Month panel, spoke about their experiences in the workplace, and shared career advice.

Women leaders share experiences, career advice

Apr. 4, 2019—Those attending Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Women’s History Month panel on March 27 were schooled on the importance of risk taking, mentoring, self-care and how to advance in historically male-dominated fields such as information technology and supply chain management.

The Center for Women’s Health’s newest location brings primary and midwifery care services to patients in Mt. Juliet.

Women’s health, primary care clinics debut in Mt. Juliet

Apr. 4, 2019—Convenient women’s health, midwifery and primary care services are right around the corner for Mt. Juliet residents, with new Center for Women’s Health and family care clinics now open in Suite 120 of the 2025 building on North Mt. Juliet Road.

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos (Daniel Dubois/Vanderbilt University)

VU Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos to step down Aug. 15

Apr. 2, 2019—Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos announced today that he will step down as the university’s eighth chancellor on Aug. 15 after more than a decade in the role. Zeppos plans to take a yearlong sabbatical before returning to the faculty as professor of law.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center to acquire Tennova Healthcare-Lebanon from Community Health Systems

Mar. 29, 2019—Leaders of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) today announced plans to purchase Tennova Healthcare-Lebanon, a two-campus facility licensed for 245 beds, from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS). A definitive agreement has been signed for the sale of the facility and related businesses, including physician clinic operations and outpatient services, to VUMC.