From the Dean
The importance of empathy and grace
Our patients, and often our own employees, want to know we care about them and what they are experiencing. We can each recall instances when someone’s lagging spirit impacted their work, their relationships or even their health. According to the World Health Organization, more people in the United States are…
Features
Old drugs, new uses
The odds of bringing a new, safe and effective drug to market are very low. Even for drug candidates that make it to human testing in clinical trials, 90% ultimately fail, often because they cause unexpected and serious side effects. The gauntlet of testing has thwarted so many promising therapies…
A Life Rebuilt
On Nov. 19, 2020, Sabrina Johanson checked herself out of Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH), went downtown to meet the father of her two children, and injected heroin and meth for the last time. As an inpatient she had been receiving IV antibiotics for endocarditis, a heart infection from drug use…
On the Edge of Care
Uterine fibroids are small, a so-called ‘invisible disease,’ but they levy an outsize cost: Treatment and lost time at work across the country add up to a whopping $34 billion. That’s a lot of time and money, not to mention that 70% of women in the U.S. will develop at…
Champion of Change
Change has been a constant in Bonnie Miller’s 36-year career at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Her presence on campus has been reliable, steady and impactful since completing her surgery residency in 1987 while her roles have been ever evolving: general surgery attending physician, associate dean for Medical Students, associate…
Technology- based teamwork
The past few decades have seen a great improvement in surgical technology and instruments, but the future holds limitless opportunities for advancements that will lead to safer, more precise surgeries with better outcomes for patients. Many of those improvements — both small and large — are being designed and tested…
In My Life
Georgina Sellyn
Reporting by Lexie Little Georgina Sellyn is a fourth-year medical student. A former Vanderbilt University tennis player, she plans to pursue a career in dermatology, combining her passion for skin cancer prevention with her love of the game. She is from Glasgow, Scotland. “With a passion for preventive health, specifically…
Q+A
Q + A: Lourdes Estrada, PhD
Lourdes Estrada, PhD, is the newly named assistant dean of Health Equity Education in the School of Medicine. Estrada is also a professor of Biochemistry, associate director of Academic Programs & Operations for the Medical Scientist Training Program and director of Vanderbilt Academy for Excellence in Education. Q. What does…
