New programs help medical students hone clinical skills
Jul. 9, 2015—There is a lot of discussion on the national health care front about how best to equip future physicians to care for the patients of tomorrow. Faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) are right in the middle of the debate. “Historically when students were on a rotation within the hospital they were imbedded...
Improving patients’ quality of life drives Lind’s clinical care
Jul. 9, 2015—Gastroenterologist Christopher Lind, M.D., has been treating patients at Vanderbilt for nearly three decades. (photo by Susan Urmy) As a gastroenterologist, Christopher Lind, M.D., says he is often the “butt” of jokes, but few people truly appreciate the role the gut plays in their happiness. “We are a quality of life field, and it’s so...
Biochemistry professor Richard Armstrong has died
Jun. 22, 2015—A memorial service for Richard N. Armstrong, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and chemistry, will be held at 1 p.m. today (June 22) in the Vanderbilt Divinity School’s Benton Chapel. Richard Armstrong (Vanderbilt) Armstrong, 66, died suddenly on June 18 after a brief illness. A member of the Vanderbilt faculty since 1995, Armstrong was internationally known...
Noted VUSM alum Robert Heimburger dies at 97
Jun. 18, 2015—Robert F. Heimburger, M.D., a member of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicineclass of 1943, died June 9. He was 97. Robert F. Heimburger, M.D. Dr. Heimburger was born and raised in China until age 17. His parents served as medical missionaries in the Shandong province from 1912-1934, as did his grandparents before them. His...
Research at U.S. academic medical centers faces threats to sustainable support
May. 28, 2015— Unstable federal research funding and reductions in health care revenue for academic medical centers threatens to undermine the nation’s biomedical research enterprise, and in turn clinical medicine, which the nation needs now more than ever. This is the conclusion of an analysis written by top officials of some of the nation’s leading academic medical...
Spring Faculty meeting explores VUMC’s future course
May. 26, 2015—Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., speaks at last week’s Spring Faculty Meeting. (photo by Anne Rayner) The financial reorganization and separation of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center into separate nonprofit entities remains on schedule to occur in early 2016. Most of the Medical Center’s 19,000 employees will not notice anything different, except perhaps that...
Kudos: Read about faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements
May. 15, 2015—Elsa Filosa, assistant professor of Italian, has received the Villa I Tatti Fellowship for 2014-15 from the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence. The fellowship is awarded annually to 15 scholars worldwide whose research focuses on the Italian Renaissance. It is the most prestigious and competitive fellowship a scholar can receive in...
Faculty teaching, research award winners announced
May. 14, 2015—The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Spring Faculty Meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in 208 Light Hall. Following a presentation to faculty by Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, the 2015 Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Outstanding Contributions...
School of Medicine graduates embrace future challenges
May. 14, 2015—Members of the School of Medicine class of 2015 gather following last Friday’s Commencement ceremony. (photo by Anne Rayner) Bonnie Miller, M.D., senior associate dean for Health Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, offered some sound advice to the class of 2015 during last week’s commencement ceremony. “You will need to cultivate mental flexibility,...
MEDIA ADVISORY: Experts to discuss EPA’s Clean Power Plan May 18-19 at Vanderbilt
May. 11, 2015—An in-depth exploration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions from power plants is the topic of a two-day conference being held May 18-19 at Vanderbilt University Law School. The event, “The Clean Power Plan: Health, Energy Demand and Economic Effects,” is free and open to the...