All News Archive

Heather O’Dell, MSN, ANP-BC, MMHC. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 11, 2025

Heather O’Dell named Vanderbilt Transplant Center’s Executive Director and Associate Operating Officer

O’Dell succeeds Edward Zavala, MBA, the VTC’s founding administrator who is stepping down from his administrative leadership role June 30 after more than 22 years of service to VUMC.  

By John Howser
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