Vanderbilt Burn Center Archive — Page 1 of 2

May 18, 2026

Great Saves event reunites patients with medical teams who saved their lives

Though the event has been hosted by various units in recent years, this was the first VUH-wide Great Saves event. The event was specifically scheduled to celebrate National Nurses Week to honor the work nurses do every day.

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.

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.

(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. 

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. 

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.