Vanderbilt Burn Center

Compassionate care met determination as burn patient Sean Smith worked toward recovery.
February 20, 2026

Kitchen fire to cap and gown: College senior’s meal prep accident led to 17 days at Vanderbilt Burn Center — and a fight to get back in the gym

Smith was told that his burns couldn’t be fully treated locally so he would be airlifted to either the Vanderbilt Burn Center in Nashville or the University of Louisville.

By Craig Boerner
December 17, 2025

Life-changing tragedies bring burn team and patients together as ‘family’

The 25-bed Level 1 burn unit now averages over 600 admissions a year, and the adjacent burn clinic sees 3,000 outpatient visits a year.

By Craig Boerner
(Adobe Stock)
November 26, 2025

Kitchen fires most prevalent on Thanksgiving Day

Each Thanksgiving over 2,300 home fires nationwide are caused by cooking, according to the National Fire Protection Association. 

By Craig Boerner
May 29, 2025

Vanderbilt Burn Center earns American Burn Association verification as devoted champion Phyllis Streiff reaches 41-year milestone

Phyllis Streiff and Nashville Fire Department Chaplain James Lassiter teamed up to raise money to open a burn unit at Vanderbilt. During its long and storied history, Vanderbilt has truly been a lifesaver for all burn patients as Tennessee’s only dedicated burn center serving both adults and children. 

By Craig Boerner
Brayden Thrasher, 7, attends Camp Hope, a three-day experience for burn survivors. (photo by Donn Jones)
September 23, 2024

Camp Hope: A place of healing and happiness for burn survivors

At Camp Hope, Vanderbilt personnel, adult burn survivors and others volunteer to create activities to promote physical and emotional healing for the children.

By Jessica Pasley
September 8, 2021

Wagner named to lead Vanderbilt Burn Center

Anne Wagner, MD, has joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center to serve as medical director of the Vanderbilt Burn Center.

By Jill Clendening
August 7, 2019

Thompson named to direct Vanderbilt Burn Center

Callie Thompson, MD, has been named director of the Vanderbilt Burn Center, one of the largest burn centers in the United States.
By Jill Clendening
June 29, 2017

Vanderbilt doctors urge caution with Fourth of July fireworks

By VUMC News and Communications
December 30, 2016

Fire and smoke-related injuries on the rise this winter

By VUMC News and Communications
October 30, 2014

Lynch recalled as pioneer of Plastic Surgery, Burn Center

John B. Lynch, M.D., professor of Plastic Surgery, emeritus, who was former chair of Plastic Surgery and the first director of the Vanderbilt Burn Center when it opened in 1983, died Monday, Oct. 20. He was 85.
By Wayne Wood
August 28, 2014

Camp Hope

Thirty former patients of the Vanderbilt Burn Center gathered at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, Tennessee, recently for Camp Hope, a free annual event for burn survivors ages 6 to 16.
By VUMC News and Communications
June 30, 2014

Vanderbilt doctors urge caution with Fourth of July fireworks

By VUMC News and Communications
October 30, 2012

Vanderbilt burn doctors treat more patients during cold-weather months, urge caution with home heating

By VUMC News and Communications