VUMC People

March 2, 2026

Strive is back! Teen volunteers return to Monroe Carell this summer. Applications due March 6

See where former Strive volunteers are today. Deadline to apply for Summer 2026 is March 6.

By Jessica Pasley
February 25, 2026

Billy Hudson named 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient

Leaders in government, business, military, media and technology will be honored with the prestigious Ellis Island Medals of Honor on May 16 during gala on Ellis Island.

By Craig Boerner and Bill Snyder
Jennifer Gaddy, PhD
February 24, 2026

Jennifer Gaddy elected to American Academy of Microbiology 

Gaddy is a leading researcher in bacterial pathogenesis, innate immunity and reproductive immunology.

By Paul Govern
February 24, 2026

Celebrating excellence: Make a point to thank Vanderbilt Health residents and fellows this week 

At Vanderbilt Health, there are currently more than 1,200 residents and fellows in more than 180 programs, all of whom contribute significantly to patient care and research, and serve a crucial role in the training of medical students.

By Jill Clendening
February 23, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘She turned one of the worst days of my life into a memory where I also felt deeply cared for.’

Stephanie Boyd, BSN, RN, works in the Emergency department at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
February 23, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘Hospital stays can be frightening for little ones, but my daughter was never scared with Patdy by her side.’

Patdy Leong, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
February 23, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘I was scared, confused, and in a very lonely headspace. Emily was beyond kind, caring, and compassionate.’

Emily Dunn, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Medicine Acute Care unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
By Kylie Avery
February 20, 2026

Adam Wright invited to National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leaders Forum 

Attendees will explore some of the most pressing challenges in health and medicine, with the aim of considering and stimulating collaborative interdisciplinary solutions.
By Paul Govern
February 20, 2026

Robin Steaban celebrated for lifetime DAISY recognition

Under Robin Steaban's leadership, Vanderbilt University Hospital achieved four Magnet designations.
By Kylie Avery
February 20, 2026

Five honored at Translational Science and Research Forum

Translational research brings discoveries from the laboratory and preclinical studies forward to clinical trials and studies in humans.
By Paul Govern
February 18, 2026

Vanderbilt Health remembers C. Leon Partain, former chair of Radiology

A Tennessee native, C. Leon Partain is celebrated for being instrumental in bringing the first MRI and PET/CT machines to the Medical Center.
By Derek Scancarelli
February 13, 2026

Aaron Williams a ‘pioneer’ on 2026 TIME100 Health list of influential leaders

Williams helped lead the team that developed a method to preserve donor hearts for up to 12 hours — triple the typical four-hour window.
By Holly Fletcher
February 10, 2026

Winter Credo Award winners announced

Melanie Byers, S. Barron Frazier, MD, and Matt Pack, CPhT, are winners of the Winter 2026 Credo Award.
By Rachel Vitolo