All News

From left, Nick Negretti, PhD, Bryan Millis, PhD, Jennifer Sucre, MD, and Chris Jetter co-led a research team that achieved a new view of lung development — one that could improve outcomes for premature babies. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 24, 2025

Bottling a mouse ‘superpower’ may heal lungs damaged by premature birth: study

Watch the video to hear Jennifer Sucre, MD, talk about how this study upends what people are taught about how the lung develops.

Using a four-dimensional microscopy technique, researchers at Vanderbilt have created 3D video images of mouse lung tissue grown in the laboratory.

By Bill Snyder
February 21, 2025

Study shows end-of-life cancer care lacking for Medicare patients 

The study involved patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds age 66 or older who died from breast, prostate, pancreatic or lung cancers.  

By Tom Wilemon
February 21, 2025

Thoughtful, proactive and always full of cheer, Soraida Chavez is the glue that holds the Vanderbilt Benign Hematology Clinic together

“Soraida is one of the main reasons why we have such high patient and provider satisfaction in the benign hematology clinic,” wrote one nominator. “She is a wonderful, caring person who takes care of both the patients and the clinical staff.”

By Evan Dorian
February 20, 2025

Experts publish action plan to address appendiceal cancer enigmas

They have identified key research priority areas to deliver a fundamental understanding of appendiceal tumors and to improve treatments and outcomes for patients.

By Tom Wilemon
February 18, 2025

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is consulting people in the Nashville area about participating in a study to investigate using fresh frozen plasma to treat traumatic brain injury

The goal of the research is to determine if this treatment reduces the amount their brain lesion (brain bruise) grows and leads to better long-term brain function.

By VUMC News and Communications
Heart transplant patient Scot Pollard and his wife, Dawn. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 17, 2025

Weight-loss surgery associated with reduced dementia

An observational study found that bariatric surgery was associated with 63% reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
By Paul Govern
February 17, 2025

Melissa Duff elected president of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences

Duff is a cognitive neuroscientist and speech-language pathologist who studies the role of hippocampal-dependent memory in language processing and communication.
By VUMC News and Communications
February 17, 2025

VUMC designated as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Resuscitation

Hospitals that earn ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 14, 2025

Hope Collins named senior director of Patient and Family Engagement

In her new role, Collins will oversee patient and family councils that advise individual Vanderbilt hospital entities from the patient/family perspective.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 14, 2025

VUMC honors four translational scientists

Translational research brings discoveries from the laboratory and preclinical studies to clinical trials and studies in humans.
By Bill Snyder
February 14, 2025

Emergency department hosts first VUMC EM Family Day 

Family and friends of emergency physicians and administrative staff were invited to experience a day in the life of an emergency physician.
By Evan Dorian
February 14, 2025

Brain Break: Your local crossword fix

Crossword puzzles have appeared in newspapers for decades, and now VUMC News is presenting the first Nashville/VUMC-themed grid. This featured puzzle is "9 to 5 Across."
By Holly Fletcher