“Being a photographer taught me to treasure the good memories and hold tight through the tough times. This is useful in nursing because there are a lot of tough times.”

Each day, 50 to 60 Nashville Fire employees participated, beginning with lectures and followed by hands-on group exercises facilitated by LifeFlight instructors.

The event, open to general practitioners, trainers, physical therapists, coaches, teachers and concerned families is Friday and Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.

The fitness challenge raised funds to support pediatric cancer research, training and care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

The children were born in Turkey with a smaller-than-normal head size, cataracts, severe developmental delay, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

The WISE Awards celebrate preceptors working in any clinical capacity who have gone above and beyond in their training responsibilities.

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.