William Cooper

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Endowment to enhance health care access for children

The $1 million endowment, established internally, will support the Department of Pediatrics efforts to weave health equity initiatives and strategies throughout clinical care, operations, research and training.

William Cooper, MD, MPH, delivers the State of the Department of Pediatrics address. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Address highlights Department of Pediatrics’ achievements, research and health leadership

During the address, Cooper focused on Accelerate 2025’s core areas, which include: serving our children, promoting children’s health through discovery and career pathways; ensuring financial fairness; training the next generation; and health equity.

Study tallies reports of unprofessional behavior among physicians

Reports from 193 hospitals were analyzed. It turns out that surgeons draw the most complaints.

Clinician accountability program from VUMC associated with large savings

A program run by Vanderbilt University Medical Center that provides peer feedback to high-risk clinicians was associated with a significant decrease in malpractice claims costs at a large orthopaedic surgery practice, according to a recent study.

William Cooper named interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics

William Cooper, MD, MPH, has been named Interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics. He will assume this role Feb. 1, 2024.  

Low-professionalism residents later draw higher patient complaints: study

A Vanderbilt study finds a strong association between lower ratings for interpersonal communication skills among medical residents in their last year of training and greater likelihood of unsolicited patient complaints among doctors during their first year of employment after training.