Summer 2014
Faces and Places
Sep. 9, 2014—
Losses
Sep. 9, 2014—Jerome Abramson, M.D.,’52, HS ‘59, died May 26. He is survived by his wife, Myrna; children, Richard and Michael; and two grandchildren. William Anderson, M.D. ‘59, HS ‘60, ‘64, died Nov. 19, 2013. He was 79. Dr. Anderson was predeceased by his wife, Sue, and is survived by his children, Bill, John, Michael and Steve;...
About Vanderbilt Medicine
Sep. 9, 2014—Vanderbilt Medicine is published by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in cooperation with the VUMC Office of News and Communications. Copyright 2014 © Vanderbilt University Editor Kathy Whitney Design and Art Direction Diana Duren Contributing Writers Craig Boerner Christina Echegaray Leslie Hill John Howser Nancy Humphrey Paula Jones Leigh MacMillan Jessica Pasley Kathy Whitney Photography/illustration...
Giving in Action + Bacardi Family Gift
Sep. 5, 2014—In Spanish folklore, the bat is a symbol of good luck, long life and family unity. It’s the perfect logo for Bacardi rum, says fourth-generation family member Jorge Bacardi. “There are over 600 people in the family now, but we’re keen on maintaining those philosophies. It’s still a family-owned company and we hope to keep...
Giving in Action + Class of 1993
Sep. 5, 2014—Whether it’s former classmates or perfect strangers coming together to support a great cause, there is no denying that there is strength in numbers. The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) Class of 1993 is a prime example of what a group can accomplish when it works together toward a goal. As its members prepare...
Alumni profile: Oscar Crofford, M.D.
Sep. 5, 2014—A Distinguished Career Oscar Crofford, M.D., is the recipient of the 2014 VUSM Distinguished Alumnus Award, and will be recognized during Reunion Weekend in October. Among his many achievements, Crofford led a landmark study called the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) that established the value of rigorous blood glucose control and revolutionized the treatment...
Alumni profile: Jeff Spencer, M.D.
Sep. 5, 2014—New York State of Mind With more than 31,000 applications received for the Class of 2018, Vanderbilt University seems to be on everyone’s radar. Jeff Spencer, M.D., ‘87, BS ’83, is doing his part to make sure his home state of New York is aware of what Vanderbilt has to offer. Spencer proudly represents Vanderbilt...
Warning Signs of Stress
Sep. 4, 2014—Your body’s stress warning signs tell you that something isn’t right. Much like the glowing orange “check engine” light on your car’s dashboard, if you neglect the alerts sent out by your body, you could have a major engine malfunction. Stress that is left unchecked or poorly managed is known to contribute to high blood...
Bernard Osher gift to transform integrative medicine at Vanderbilt
Sep. 4, 2014—Through a $5.5 million donation from San Francisco businessman Bernard Osher, Vanderbilt’s Center for Integrative Health has joined the elite group of Osher Centers for Integrative Medicine and is now known as the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University. The Bernard Osher Foundation, founded in 1977 to improve quality of life through support...
Bridging the Gap Between Hospital and Home
Sep. 4, 2014—One year ago, Kris Stevenson was dying on the trauma unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. He had been hit by a car while crossing the street in Nashville, resulting in severe brain, pelvic and abdominal injuries. Today he is walking and talking thanks to a team of people who helped with his incredible recovery. Case...
Ticks and red meat allergy
Sep. 4, 2014—Lone star tick bites are likely the cause of thousands of cases of severe red meat allergies that are plaguing patients in Southeastern states including Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia and spreading up the Eastern Seaboard along with the deer population. Vanderbilt’s Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program (A.S.A.P.) clinic is seeing one or more new...
What is a food allergy?
Sep. 4, 2014—An allergic reaction to a food is a two-step process. The first time you’re exposed to a food allergen, your immune system makes specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to that allergen. The IgE antibodies circulate through your blood and attach to immune cells called mast cells and basophils. Mast cells are found in all body...
Class Notes
Aug. 27, 2014—1950s Gerald Stone, M.D., ‘57, HS ‘58, and his wife, Lois, welcomed their first great-grandchild on May 8. The first of their 15 grandchildren, David Clay, M.D., BA ‘09, shares the same birthday. Stone continues to do locum tenens and stays active in the medical community in Rochester, New York. 1960s Antonio Gotto, Jr., M.D., ‘65, has been appointed ...
Changes Coming to the MCAT
Aug. 27, 2014—MCAT 2015 For more than 80 years, the MCAT exam has been a valuable predictor of students’ academic success in medical school. The coming changes to the test will make it an even better exam, by helping medical schools identify not only the students who are the most academically prepared to become physicians, but also...
Off Limits
Aug. 26, 2014—According to Food Allergy Research and Education, about 1.5 million Americans have food allergies. They affect 1 in every 13 children under 18 in the U. S.—or about two in every classroom. Those who have them must approach food with a great deal of caution.
Children’s Hospital gets to heart of boy’s rare disorder
Aug. 21, 2014—Two-year-old Luke Reaves was diagnosed a year ago with cardiomyopathy (a weakened heart muscle) caused by a rare hereditary metabolic disorder, Barth syndrome. With only about 200 reported cases of Barth worldwide, finding a hospital that understood a metabolic heart condition like Luke’s was important for Emily and Jason Reaves, even if it meant traveling outside...
Q+A: Rivka Ihejirka
Aug. 21, 2014—Rivka Ihejirika is a third-year medical student from Los Angeles. She is the recipient of the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship and the James Edward Holloran Scholarship, established by the Class of 1980. Q. When did you know you wanted to be a doctor? A. When I was a little kid, I was always curious about...
Gift creates one home for Medical School class photos
Aug. 21, 2014—For decades, the composite photos of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine graduating classes could be found spread all around the Medical Center. Some were framed and hung, while others were stowed in desk drawers or archived in various locations. Thanks to the graduating classes of 2014 and 2015, the Vanderbilt Alumni Association and Eskind Biomedical Library’s...
Grant aids search for Restless Legs Syndrome treatment
Aug. 21, 2014—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been selected as one of three sites to share a three-year, $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore the potential therapeutic properties of manganese, a chemical element and biologically essential trace mineral, in treating Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). “The goal of this work is to determine if...
Quicknotes
Aug. 21, 2014—VICC debuts novel neuroendocrine tumor treatment A retired elementary school principal has become the first patient at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to receive an investigational cancer therapy for the treatment of his neuroendocrine tumor. Harold (Cap) Caplan of Hilton Head, South Carolina received the first injection of a drug that delivers a high dose of radiation...
Physical signs of depression common among ICU survivors
Aug. 21, 2014—Depression affects more than one out of three survivors of critical illness, according to a Vanderbilt study released in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, and the majority of patients experience their symptoms physically rather than mentally. It is one of the largest studies to investigate the mental health and functional outcomes of critical care survivors, according...
These Doctors Mean Business
Aug. 21, 2014—While patient care is an important part of the careers of the majority of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine graduates, some find that they can make the greatest leadership contributions in non-clinical roles. These doctors get down to business.
Healing from Within
Aug. 19, 2014—Through the services offered at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt, patients like Brenda Wilson are learning how to live with chronic pain and taking steps toward building a new normal. The Center recently received a $5 million gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation.
Matt Correia
Aug. 6, 2014—Meet Matt Correia from the VUSM Class of 2016