Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has surpassed 3,000 liver transplants, a milestone made possible by collaboration, expertise and ongoing innovation. Liver transplantation requires more than surgical skill. It is a multidisciplinary effort involving pharmacists, nurses, social workers, transplant hepatologists, psychiatrists, advanced practice providers and surgeons, all contributing to each patient’s care. “Calling a patient to let them know a new liver is available is one of the greatest privileges of my job,” said Christina, a liver transplant nurse practitioner. “We can see them go from critically ill to walking again in just a few days.” Weekly education sessions and technologies such as OCS (Organ Care System) and NRP (Normothermic Regional Perfusion) machines support our efforts to expand transplant access and improve outcomes. This milestone reflects the strength of interdisciplinary teamwork and our continued commitment to advancing health care, one transplant at a time.

April 18th, our team will be hosting a lung cancer conference on "Navigating the Patient Journey from Early Detection to Advanced Therapies." The keynote speakers include David Carbone, MD, PhD and Kathryn Carbone, MD. Interested in joining? Check out the link to register: https://lnkd.in/e66JCdZS

The Vanderbilt community mourns James W. "Jim" Ayers, who passed away on April 1. He was 81. Ayers was a prominent Tennessee banker, businessman and philanthropist. The 15-story patient care tower that is under construction now at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville is named for him. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Ayers,” said Dr. Jeff Balser, President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “His and Janet’s generosity will continue to impact VUMC well into the future." The Jim Ayers Tower is set to open in October 2025. It is a fitting tribute to his legacy of generosity and his goals of improving health care and quality of life for Tennesseans. Our thoughts are with his wife, Janet, and the rest of the Ayers family at this time. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGkU-H_G

Three faculty in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Pediatrics were recently elected to join the Society of Pediatric Research. Active members are independent researchers who have been nominated and seconded by SPR members and approved by the SPR Council who are conducting hypothesis-driven research in a field related to pediatrics. Congratulations to Daniel Benedetti, MD, MA, Stephanie Doupnik, MD, MSHP, and Jeffrey Hine, PhD! https://lnkd.in/ehDJ5ub9

We’re excited to announce a $5 million gift from the Springer-Lu Family Foundation of Massachusetts that will establish an endowment to support Aspirnaut at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Aspirnaut, a K-20 STEM pipeline, has changed the trajectory of students’ lives while developing STEM leaders of tomorrow. Scholars are talented high school students largely from rural America who have limited access to STEM opportunities. Longitudinal tracking data since 2009 shows that over 70% of participants have pursued advanced degree programs in STEM or are in the STEM workforce. “We’re deeply grateful to Dr. Chafen Lu and the Springer-Lu Family Foundation for the visionary support of the Lu-Springer High School Research Scholars,” said Aspirnaut scientific director and co-founder Billy Hudson, PhD. Lu, a Harvard scientist and biotech industry expert, has deep interest in cultivating STEM opportunities for rural youth. “My family and I look forward to joining others who believe that investing in young minds today will shape STEM innovation and leadership of tomorrow.” Join this collective fundraising effort to secure Aspirnaut’s future. Visit https://lnkd.in/esMJAWQP today!

For a decade, Danielle has been a vital part of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Pediatric Heart Institute, providing life-saving care as an ECMO specialist. She knows the mechanics of the machine are critical, but to her, supporting families is just as important. “Gaining a family’s trust is a big deal to me,” she says. “Being there for them during their hardest moments is just as important as the mechanics of the pump.” Her proudest moments come when former patients return, healthy and thriving. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her “Wacky Pack,” cheering on the Chiefs, traveling to the beach, and catching live music in Nashville.

Today is Doctors’ Day! At Vanderbilt Health, we are grateful for all of our doctors, who provide personalized care each and every day. You can thank a special doctor and make a gift in their honor by visiting https://bit.ly/43tQo8d. ❤️

Renovation is underway at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, as the hospital is expanding space and enhancing care for pediatric cancer patients. The project will provide private infusion rooms and dedicated, tailored space for children, teenagers and young adults. The expansion and renovation, part of a philanthropic initiative, “A Campaign Against Childhood Cancer,” will also help support research and training efforts. We are so grateful to the many generous individuals and businesses in the community who helped make this vision a reality. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ejqjN9Pd

We recently hosted a two-day intensive trauma course, ASSET+, for military medical personnel — marking the first time this advanced course has been taught at a civilian medical facility. Part of the U.S. military Emergency War Surgery curriculum, ASSET+ provides training for military medical personnel working in deployed environments, military treatment facilities, and Level 1 trauma treatment facilities. Read more: https://bit.ly/41OcVdw

When you think of transplants, you usually think of hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers. However, other non-vital organs, including the larynx, can also be transplanted. Surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have built a groundbreaking new laryngeal transplant program and are ready for their first patient. According to Sarah Rohde, MD, MMHC, associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and lead surgeon of the program, transplanting a larynx to a patient who has undergone a laryngectomy can restore function in critical aspects of a patient’s life. For more information on the program, see the article below. https://lnkd.in/e5P_9Nv9