All News

June 10, 2025

Study shows sharp increase in appendix cancer for Generation X and millennials 

The findings reveal the need for increased awareness about appendiceal cancer from both clinicians and the public.

By Tom Wilemon
Sara Horst, MD, MPH
June 10, 2025

Sara Horst named Department of Medicine interim vice chair for Clinical Affairs

Horst succeeds Bryan Harris, MD, MPH, MMHC, current executive vice chair for Clinical Affairs, who has been named interim chair of Medicine.

By Bill Snyder
Aimal Khan, MD, with one of the 3D models he created to use during preoperative consultations. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 9, 2025

Presurgery consults with patients using 3D models improve shared decision-making and reduce anxiety 

The models allowed patients to easily distinguish the ascending colon from the sigmoid colon, along with other parts of the digestive system.

By Tom Wilemon
Margaret Drewes and her son, Everett, at home after recovering from their surgeries.
June 9, 2025

Mother and son help form a kidney donation chain that eventually involved six people

The chain is a system where a series of incompatible living donor-recipient pairs are connected, allowing recipients to receive a compatible kidney from an altruistic donor.

By Jessica Pasley
Jane Freedman, MD, delivers her farewell State of the Department address. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 6, 2025

VUMC’s Department of Medicine will continue to thrive: Freedman

Faced with great challenge and uncertainty, those who make up the department’s faculty have remained true to their mission and completed “outstanding, lifesaving work,” she said.

By Bill Snyder
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, speaks during the Spring Faculty Meeting. (photo by Susan Urmy)
June 6, 2025

Spring Faculty Meeting provides important updates on School of Medicine’s progress

During Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Spring Faculty Meeting and Awards Program, held May 30, Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dean of the School of Medicine, shared important updates.

By Jill Clendening and Bill Snyder
June 6, 2025

ESPN documentary chronicles former NBA player and VUMC heart transplant patient Scot Pollard’s journey

As a world leader in advanced cardiac care and organ transplantation, VUMC is committed to raising awareness and educating the public about the lifesaving impact of organ donation.
By Kylie Avery
June 6, 2025

New study highlights potential boost to brain stimulation therapy through targeted symptom provocation

This is the first large-scale meta-analysis to examine whether deliberately triggering symptoms immediately before administering rTMS enhances treatment outcomes.
By Danny Bonvissuto
June 5, 2025

Nursing Grand Rounds features executive director of nursing charter school

VUMC has been working on multiple tracks to provide more pathways for nurses, including people who grew up with little exposure to nursing.
By Matt Batcheldor
June 5, 2025

Many Tennessee parents still have concerns about community violence, school safety

The latest analysis is based on the results of the annual Vanderbilt Child Health Poll of approximately 1,000 Tennessee parents.
By Jake Lowary
June 5, 2025

David Shaffer leaves lasting legacy on Vanderbilt’s Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program

Shaffer led the kidney transplant program to become one of the largest in the nation and made significant contributions to clinical care, research, teaching and service.
By Matt Batcheldor
June 4, 2025

VUMC team finds potential target to slow atherosclerosis

The research findings suggest that regulating the immune response to high cholesterol through the protein CaMK4 could enhance blood vessel repair and slow atherosclerosis progression.
By Guillermo Sanchez, PhD
June 4, 2025

Expert tips for staying safe in the heat

Following basic summer safety tips will help keep your family safe and healthy as temperatures rise.
By Jessica Pasley