All News

June 3, 2021

Patient of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt first in world to receive new investigational gene editing therapy

A 9-year-old patient of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is the first in the world to receive an investigational gene editing therapy for Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA), a rare genetic disorder diagnosed at birth.

By Christina Echegaray
May 27, 2021

Life-saving transplant marks milestone for pediatric program

Petyon Smith’s answered prayers became the best birthday wish ever on Jan. 31 — the date his younger brother received the first-ever dual kidney-liver transplant at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

By Jessica Pasley
April 29, 2021

Transplant Pharmacy team went extra mile during winter ice storm

In February, a frigid winter storm swept across the United States, causing widespread chaos — including power outages, water shortages and business shutdowns. Amid the disaster, many kidney transplant patients in Middle Tennessee did not receive deliveries of their immunosuppressant medications due to hazardous road conditions.

By Emily Stembridge
Zach Lloyd spent 95 days on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, after contracting COVID-19.
April 1, 2021

COVID recovery included long stay on ECMO, double-lung transplant

Zach Lloyd was only 37 years old with no pre-existing health conditions, but COVID-19 was bringing him within an inch of his life.

By Matt Batcheldor
March 24, 2021

New record for pediatric heart transplant program

The heart transplant program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt experienced back-to-back record years for the number of heart transplants performed.

By Jessica Pasley
February 25, 2021

Pediatric liver transplant program named among nation’s best

The pediatric liver transplant program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt continues to reach milestones — the most recent being named one of the best programs in the country.

By Jessica Pasley
February 3, 2021

Transplant patient celebrates milestone 30th anniversary

Pam Everett-Smith celebrated a milestone this past November — 30 years since she received a lung transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is the longest-surviving single-lung transplant patient known in the United States.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 28, 2021

Post-transplant coordinators serve as patients’ long-term advocate, supporter

When a patient receives a new heart at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, that person also gains a new family, so to speak — the heart transplant team. Among the patient’s biggest advocates and supporters on that team is his or her post-transplant coordinator.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 28, 2021

Pre-transplant coordinators ‘literally on call for something every single day’

Emily Sandhaus’ phone rings in the middle of the night. The voice on the other end tells her a donor heart is available, and it’s in El Paso, Texas. She should pack a bag and report to the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A car will take her team to Nashville International Airport, where they will board a charter plane to recover, preserve and transport the heart back to VUMC for transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 28, 2021

Vanderbilt Transplant Center achieves new record for total transplants performed in 2020

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center (VTC) established a new record in 2020 for total solid organ transplants, performing 611 life-saving procedures among its adult and pediatric organ transplant programs.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 21, 2021

Study finds genetic clues to pneumonia risk and COVID-19 disparities

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues have identified genetic factors that increase the risk for developing pneumonia and its severe, life-threatening consequences.
By Bill Snyder
January 20, 2021

Certified neonatal therapists address babies’ special needs

Certified neonatal therapists are not common, as there are only approximately 500 of these specialized professionals in the world. Fortunately, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has two on staff.
By Jessica Pasley
January 12, 2021

VUMC now leads world in heart transplantation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center performed more heart transplants in 2020 than any other center in the world — 124 adult hearts, 23 pediatric hearts and VUMC’s first heart-lung transplant since 2006.
By Matt Batcheldor