Reporter October 2023

Jordan Wright, MD, PhD, left, and Adel Eskaros, MBBS, PhD, are lead authors of the report on pancreatic exocrine-endocrine “crosstalk.” (photo by Susan Urmy)

Pancreas “crosstalk” may influence course of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Nov. 1, 2023—In the largest study of its kind, researchers at Vanderbilt have identified unexpected alterations in the exocrine tissues of the pancreas that occur in the two major forms of diabetes, and with aging and obesity.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center receives a Best Workplace for Men in Nursing Award

Nov. 1, 2023—For the fourth time, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been recognized with the 2023 Best Workplace for Men in Nursing Award from the American Association for Men in Nursing.

News about upcoming training for employees on how to recognize and combat microaggression and racism was shared during a panel discussion on these issues that featured experts including, from left, Megan Youngblood, MBA, Mamie Williams, MPH, MSN, FNP-BC, Selena McCoy Carpenter, MEd, and Kristy Sinkfield, MEd. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Medical Center’s creative problem-solvers inspire others during Strategy Share 2023

Oct. 31, 2023—The ingenuity and enterprising spirit on display at Vanderbilt University Medical Center took center stage last week at Strategy Share 2023, as more than 30 employees presented their problem-solving and innovative solutions.

Polygenic “scores” may improve cancer screening

Oct. 31, 2023—Accounting for genetic variability in biomarkers not associated with cancer risk could avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures, Vanderbilt researchers found.

VUMC’s Kimryn Rathmell wins Doris Duke Foundation Paragon Award

Oct. 31, 2023—Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, chair of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has received the Paragon Award for Research Excellence from the Doris Duke Foundation.

Crowe, Osheroff honored by AAMC

Oct. 30, 2023—Vanderbilt's James E. Crowe, Jr, MD, and Neil Osheroff, PhD, are among 12 individuals honored by the Association of American Medical Colleges during its 2023 Awards Recognition Event.

Doctoral students recently provided free vestibular testing and treatment to Ukrainian refugees.

Restoring balance

Oct. 30, 2023—Doctoral students recently traveled to Krakow, Poland to provide free vestibular testing and treatment to 53 Ukrainian refugees experiencing dizziness and imbalance.

André Churchwell receives Modern Healthcare’s Luminary Award for diversity leadership

Oct. 30, 2023—Vanderbilt's André Churchwell, MD, has been recognized as a diversity leader and a recipient of Modern Healthcare’s Luminary Award.

Randika “Randy” Perera, PhD, left, Wenhan Zhu, PhD, Walter Chazin, PhD, Luisella Spiga, PhD, Ryan Fansler and colleagues discovered that beneficial bacteria in the gut impact the competition that occurs between host cells and pathogens for the essential nutrient iron. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Study discovers role for gut bacteria in host-pathogen competition for nutrients

Oct. 27, 2023—Vanderbilt research shows that commensal gut microbes impact the host-pathogen competition for iron and has implications for therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing pathogens from acquiring essential nutrients.

Consuelo Wilkins, MD, MSCI, far left, John Sergent, MD, MACP, MACR, center, and Kimberly Vinson, MD, far right, with award winners Barrington Hwang, MD, left, Stacey Riddick, Adriana Bialostozky, MD, Sarah Reed and Candace Grisham. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Levi Watkins Jr. MD Lecture honors contributors to diversity, equity and inclusion

Oct. 27, 2023—The Levi Watkins Jr. MD Lecture honored the first African American to graduate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and recognized the contributions of several Vanderbilt faculty, trainees and students who have made contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital’s (VWCH) annual Socktober event benefits Compassionate Hands, a Wilson County-based non-profit that provides food, shelter, clothing and cleaning services to those experiencing homelessness.

VWCH Socktober benefit helps others start winter on the right foot

Oct. 27, 2023—Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital’s Socktober event benefits Compassionate Hands, a Wilson County-based nonprofit that provides food, shelter, clothing and cleaning services to those experiencing homelessness.

Stephanie Jian receives vision science award from the University of California, Berkeley

Oct. 26, 2023—Vanderbilt's Stephanie Jian, OD, has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science “40 under 40” award.

VUMC Reporter