Reporter March 10 2023

Study finds RSV may evade vaccines via rapid mutation

Mar. 9, 2023—A Vanderbilt study concluded that RSV’s ability to mutate rapidly to escape detection by the body’s immune system makes it more challenging to design and develop vaccines that can stop it from spreading.

When half of their six children were diagnosed with what was then believed to be Type 1 diabetes, David and Ellen Pursell decided their family would participate in research related to the health condition. This family photo from several years ago includes, seated, from left, Peggy, Ramsey and Chrissy. Standing, from left, are Vaughan, Ellen, Martin, David and Parker.

Family’s participation key to advancing diabetes research

Mar. 9, 2023—A study of one family from Alabama has led Vanderbilt researchers to discover that insulin deficiency, independent of the autoimmunity associated with Type 1 diabetes, is the principal factor leading to a markedly smaller pancreas.

Osterman named Associate Vice President for Research Informatics

Mar. 9, 2023—Travis Osterman, DO, MS, has been appointed to a new role as Associate Vice President for Research Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, center, with Seth Karp, MD, left, and Sunil Geevarghese, MD.

Lecture gives new insight on surgery icon Thomas

Mar. 9, 2023—Vanderbilt's recent H. William Scott Jr. Lecture in Surgical History offered unfiltered insight on the legacy of surgical pioneer Vivien Thomas.

New leadership promotions within VUSM announced

Mar. 9, 2023—Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has announced a number of leadership promotions.

Filicia McEuen, 11 years old, interacts with the new Get Well Network at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Get Well education and entertainment platform launches

Mar. 9, 2023—Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently launched a new digital patient engagement system to interact with patients and families.

Online course seeks to address opioid deaths in adolescents

Mar. 9, 2023—Vanderbilt is providing a short online course for educators that seeks to address opioid overdose deaths among adolescents.

Mamie Williams, MPH, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, directed the VUMC nurses' orientation with MNPS Health Science Academy earlier this month.

VUMC granted four-year reaccreditation by ANCC

Mar. 9, 2023—Vanderbilt University Medical Center was recently granted reaccreditation for nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) in February from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Musgraves visit brings cheer

Mar. 9, 2023—Grammy Award-winning music artist Kacey Musgraves and her partner, Cole Schafer, a writer/poet, recently brought smiles and cheer to patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt during a visit to Seacrest Studio.

Scherer named section chief of Nuclear Medicine

Mar. 9, 2023—Philip Scherer, MD, has been named the new section chief of Nuclear Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Majority of Tennessee parents agree on several school firearm safety measures: poll

Mar. 9, 2023—A new Vanderbilt poll finds that a majority of Tennessee parents agree on several firearm-related school safety measures.

Reminder: access to patient information monitored

Mar. 8, 2023— The Vanderbilt University Medical Center Privacy Office wants faculty and staff who have access to systems or databases that contain patient information to keep in mind that access to patients’ information continues to be closely audited for potential privacy violations. Unauthorized use of VUMC’s clinical databases, such as Epic or Star Panel to check...