News
Antoon investigates association of antiviral medications with neuropsychiatric complications among children with influenza
Oct. 24, 2023—Neuropsychiatric complications among children and adolescents with influenza are poorly studied and often attributed to antiviral medication, or a combination of antivirals and influenza. But a better understanding these events and their causes is important for determining risk stratification and prevention strategies, according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers, who have conducted the first in-depth study...
Halasa weighs in on new maternal RSV vaccine and clinical impacts on reducing respiratory tract disease in pregnant women
Oct. 23, 2023—The newly approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccine administered during pregnancy substantially reduces the clinical and economic burden of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV, according to research presented at Infectious Disease Week (IDWeek) 2023 Annual Meeting. “With RSV maternal vaccination that is associated with clinical efficacy of 69% against severe RSV disease at 6...
Second-year MPH Students Use Shared Passion to Make a Global Impact
Oct. 17, 2023—By: Kyra Letsinger When applying to Vanderbilt’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, prospective students immediately face a pivotal choice: Do they want to follow the Epidemiology, Global Health, or Health Policy track? For those who choose the Global Health track, there is a passion for education, an interest in diverse perspectives, and a belief that all...
Stevenson named chair of Department of Health Policy
Oct. 16, 2023—David Stevenson, PhD, MS, professor of Health Policy, has been named chair of the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, effective Oct. 1. Stevenson began serving as interim chair in July, succeeding former chair Melinda Buntin, PhD. He has been a member of the Department of Health Policy since it was established in...
Creech reflects on Covid-19 vaccine development journey and the value of scientific research
Oct. 4, 2023—The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to two scientists whose work led to the mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. As countries prepared to roll out those shots, The Associated Press took a look at how the vaccines were developed so quickly. Below follows the original story, first published on Dec. 7, 2020. How could scientists race out...
Mariam Saad (VUSM MPH ‘24) explores new methods to reduce VUMC’s carbon footprint through silicone recycling pathway
Oct. 3, 2023—Research fellow and MPH candidate Saad combines passions for sustainability and plastic surgery to reconstruct approaches to medical waste. By: David Cohen Since collaborating with Climate Vault in 2021, an award-winning non-profit organization focused on reducing emissions, Vanderbilt University has achieved carbon neutrality decades ahead of its original goal. The university continues to seek opportunities...
Rogers reflects on how hospitals can improve racial inclusivity
Oct. 2, 2023—This week the Lown Institute brought together health equity experts and hospital leaders to discuss segregation in hospital markets and strategies for improving inclusivity. Watch the full recording of the event and see our key takeaways below. Guest panelists were: Dr. Uché Blackstock, founder of Advancing Health Equity, which partners with healthcare organizations. Her forthcoming book,...
Talbot supports monoclonal antibody treatment for RSV and disagrees with CDC recommendation for Pfizer vaccine seasonal use
Sep. 29, 2023—Pfizer’s new shot to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus by vaccinating their mothers late in pregnancy won a limited recommendation Friday from an expert panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clearing the way for a second product to protect babies against RSV to soon hit the market. The recommendation was...
Gastineau honored by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Sep. 28, 2023—The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP) has awarded top honors to three physicians in the Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics. TNAAP is a statewide professional membership and child advocacy organization dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children and adolescents. Each year, the organization’s annual awards recognize and honor pediatricians...
Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center to offer online CPR and AED emergency training courses, says Diamond
Sep. 21, 2023—The Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center recently collaborated with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to offer an online CPR and AED training course to help schools be more prepared for emergencies that arise. There are more than 8 million high school athletes in the United States, and NFHS is the national...
Creech assesses nasal decongestant options following FDA report on phenylephrine, a common ingredient in allergy medications, as ineffective
Sep. 20, 2023—Walk down the cold and flu aisle in any drugstore and you’ll spot dozens of over-the-counter drugs that contain the decongestant phenylephrine, the ingredient that a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Tuesday said does not work. Phenylephrine is found in a wide range of cold and flu medications, including Sudafed PE, Benadryl Allergy D Plus...
Buntin analyzes Medicare spending trajectories and the future of american healthcare
Sep. 13, 2023—For decades, runaway Medicare spending was the story of the federal budget. Now, flat Medicare spending might be a bigger one. Something strange has been happening in this giant federal program. Instead of growing and growing, as it always had before, spending per Medicare beneficiary has nearly leveled off over more than a decade. The...
Talbot urges for more diverse demographics in RSV vaccine clinical trial populations
Sep. 11, 2023—The recently approved RSV vaccines have been celebrated as key public health tools, but some vaccine experts have lamented one aspect of the trials that led to their approval — namely, that older adults were largely left out of them. Among adults, RSV poses the biggest threat to the oldest seniors and people with certain preexisting health conditions. But...
New BA.2.86 Covid-19 strain with 30+ mutations now spread into 5 U.S. states, increasing hospitalizations by 18.8%, says Schaffner
Sep. 7, 2023—More health officials across the U.S. are reporting new cases of the COVID variant BA.2.86. On Thursday, a genome sequencing team at Houston Methodist Hospital said it had identified the first case in Texas, a member of team wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. On the same day, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce...
Belcher and colleagues develop PTeye, a novel probe technology that helps identify and preserve the parathyroid during pediatric surgical procedures
Sep. 6, 2023—Researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt have developed a probe technology using near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) that helps identify and preserve parathyroid glands during pediatric endocrine surgery. Damage or removal of calcium-regulating parathyroids during endocrine surgery is especially damaging for children because it can put them at risk for poor growth and slow...