VUMC Giving

Mark Leszczynski, center, husband of Coleen Leszczynski, along with Coleen’s parents James and Alice Devlin, with the bell dedicated in Coleen’s memory and its accompanying plaque.
August 26, 2021

Family’s gift celebrates those who make transplants possible

All Coleen Leszczynski ever wanted was to be normal. Born with a congenital heart disease (CHD), she labored to breathe, having only three-quarters the oxygen capacity of a healthy person. Still, she fought to live, serving as a cardiac nurse in her native Philadelphia area for more than 16 years. She wanted to help people like her.

Rocker George Thorogood, right, shown here with Ronald Alvarez, MD, MBA, recently made a donation to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) from the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research and plans to do more in memory of his wife, Marla, who he lost to ovarian cancer in 2019. In September, a limited-edition T-shirt featuring the Destroyers logo will be available for purchase online and at shows during the “Good to Be Bad Tour.” Sales will benefit cancer research at VICC.
August 19, 2021

Supporting ovarian cancer research

Rocker George Thorogood recently made a donation to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) from the Marla Thorogood Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research.

William Blot, PhD, and his wife, Frances, deeded the proceeds of the sale of their home to VUMC after William Blot retired in April.
May 20, 2021

William and Frances Blot deed home to VUMC to benefit cancer patients

Their condominium in The Westbury was at the heart of all that William and Frances Blot loved about Nashville — its proximity to Vanderbilt where he worked for two decades, its sidewalk that led to the greenspaces where they would watch the seasons change, and its residents who became more like friends than neighbors.

Thanks to the care he received at Vanderbilt, Owen Canavan eventually was able to return to the gym after recovering from a devastating car accident. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
May 11, 2021

Canavan family gift to support VUMC Trauma Team

On April 7, 2017, a devastating car crash sent Owen Canavan to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Trauma Intensive Care Unit, and he credits the medical team for saving his life.

May 6, 2021

“Standing Ovation” mural unveiled in honor of National Nurses Week

The mural inside Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital depicts several Nashville music legends giving a standing ovation to a health care worker in honor of National Nurses Week.

April 14, 2021

Rodes and Patricia Hart establish second chair in Department of Urology

H. Rodes Hart, BA’54, and Patricia Ingram Hart, BA’57, whose generous gifts continue to advance the mission of Vanderbilt as one of the world’s great universities for learning and discovery, have endowed a second chair in Urologic Surgery.