Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Investigators in the Vanderbilt Health Department of Health Policy have secured over $15 million in new federal grants from the National Institutes of Health to research several critical areas of public health. Here’s a look at the studies this funding will support: • Maternal health: Ashley Leech, PhD, received $3.7 million to evaluate buprenorphine dosing during pregnancy to address maternal health outcomes and overdose risks. • Pediatric sickle cell disease: Andrew Wiese, PhD, MPH, received $4.3 million to identify strategies for preventing infections and infection-related complications among children with sickle cell disease. • Senior mobility and care access: Laura Keohane, PhD, MS, received $3 million to examine barriers to Medicare wheelchair coverage. She also co-leads a $1.5 million study on health care usage for older adults impacted by elder mistreatment. • Maternal GLP-1 research: Margaret Adgent, PhD, MSPH, received $4 million to investigate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications and their benefits to pregnant women who are considered obese. “These recent successes represent the commitment of everyone in the department to keep moving forward and stay focused on doing impactful, high-quality research,” said David Stevenson, PhD, SM, the Mike Curb Professor of Health Policy. Read more in our story: https://bit.ly/4ywu21F

Many of the 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S. face social isolation, finding in-person interactions and even standard video calls overwhelming. Now, an interdisciplinary team of engineers, psychologists and computer scientists at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health is changing the game by using augmented reality technology. During participant-informed research, adults with autism designed their own realistic, 3D virtual avatars. Using AR headsets, they "transported" themselves into each other’s spaces to play games like checkers — all from the comfort of an environment that respects their unique sensory needs. Learn more about this work here: https://bit.ly/3UC9jvo

The holiday season is upon us and that means Jingle Toy Drive is back! Each year, Jingle Toy Drive brings our community together to help make the season brighter for patients and families at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. There are many ways to participate: ✨ Donate! ❤️ Fundraise by inviting your friends and family to join you in giving back. This is also a great way for companies and colleagues to get involved! 🎁 Select items from our store wish lists and send them directly to the hospital! However you choose to participate, your support helps bring joy and comfort to children and families spending time in the hospital. Visit JingleToyDrive.com today!

Vanderbilt LifeFlight’s new airplane is here and ready to fly! The interior of this Pilatus PC-12 was designed with patients and crews in mind, including an extra-wide cargo door to accommodate loading and unloading patients and equipment. It's a new look, but the same quality care the Vanderbilt LifeFlight fixed wing team has been providing since 2004!

William Obremskey, MD, MPH, MMHC, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, has been named president of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the leading orthopaedic trauma specialty association in North America. “The OTA has played a transformative role throughout my career,” said Obremskey, who is also the Executive Medical Director of Supply Chain for Vanderbilt Health. “The association’s mission to improve the care of patients throughout the world with musculoskeletal injuries through education, research and collaboration aligns with principles about which I am most passionate.” Read more about Obremskey’s achievement here: https://bit.ly/4scY74W

Before she became a physical therapist, Stacey worked in journalism, marketing and wine and spirits sales. It was during a six-month backpacking trip after getting married that she finally asked herself what she wanted to do. “I’ve always, always, always wanted to be a PT. I just never really had the confidence in myself to do it,” she said. Stacey, a pelvic floor physical therapist at Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Therapy Nashville White Bridge, has now received the 2026 Patient and Family Choice Award for Vanderbilt Health Adult Ambulatory Clinics. Nominations come from patients and families, and the award honors employees who act with compassion and excellence. Jeff, Manager of Rehab Services at Vanderbilt Health, wasn’t surprised. “There is barely a week that goes by that a patient does not leave glowing comments on a Press Ganey survey about the tremendous care they received from Stacey.” We’re proud to recognize Stacey and all who make Vanderbilt Health a place where teamwork truly matters. Learn more about joining our team here: https://lnkd.in/e-qQuieN

Beginning Nov. 1, Nicole Sibol will be the inaugural Vice President and Chief Pediatric Enterprise Strategy Officer for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is currently Enterprise Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Advocate Health. “Nicole brings a unique combination of strategic expertise and operational insight that will be invaluable as we define the future of pediatric health care at Monroe Carell,” said Jamie Phillips, MHA, President of Monroe Carell. “She has a proven ability to identify opportunities and build meaningful partnerships that translate vision into action.” Learn more about Sibol and her new role here: https://bit.ly/4i2J4WH

Robert Piana, MD, Director of our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Interventional Program, started his career in international finance. It didn’t take long for him to realize business wasn’t his passion. “I just had a sense in my soul that I needed to do something with a greater purpose,” he said. Twenty-six years into his career at Vanderbilt Health, Piana has been named the 2026 Patient and Family Choice Award recipient for Vanderbilt University Hospital. The award is chosen by Vanderbilt Health patients and families who serve on our patient and family advisory councils, and Piana received multiple nominations. One of those nominations came from a patient who now flies in from Oklahoma at least once a year to see him. When that patient asked about treating his heart defect with a device not normally used for his condition, Piana did his own research, petitioned the FDA, received approval and performed the procedure successfully. Asked what keeps him at Vanderbilt Health, Piana didn’t hesitate. “It’s the people, without a question. Incredibly talented and dedicated colleagues focused on collaboration.” We’re proud to recognize Dr. Piana and all who make Vanderbilt Health a place where teamwork truly matters. Learn more about becoming a physician with Vanderbilt Health here: https://lnkd.in/eCmMKuBA

For the first time in a human trial, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2, or SGLT2, inhibitors have been shown to reduce specific blood inflammatory cells linked to cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in Circulation. Vanderbilt Health researchers led by Mona Mashayekhi, MD, PhD, treated participants with the diabetes drug empagliflozin over three months. Using advanced genetic sequencing and cellular imaging, the team observed a significant drop in inflammatory cell clumps linked to heart disease within two weeks. Because this reduction occurred independently of weight loss, these findings suggest SGLT2 inhibitors lower cardiovascular risk by reprogramming immune cells toward a healthier state. A larger trial is underway to further explore these promising anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Read more: https://bit.ly/47qXr2c

John Howser, Vanderbilt Health’s Chief Communications Officer, has announced plans to retire in March 2027 after nearly 40 years with the organization. Howser’s career began behind the camera as a Medical Center photojournalist and evolved into leading the organization’s communications strategy, shaping how employees, patients, community members and journalists understand Vanderbilt Health’s mission and impact. “I’ve been in every crevice and corner of the Medical Center over the years,” Howser said. “Every day has been an exciting race against the clock.” Over the past 15 years, Howser has led the Office of News & Communications through some of the Medical Center’s most transformative moments, including its 2016 separation from Vanderbilt University, the implementation of the eSTAR electronic medical records system, the regional expansion of the health system and the COVID-19 pandemic. “I could not have asked for a better adviser and communications partner,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Throughout the years, John has been instrumental in positioning Vanderbilt Health as a leader in academic medicine and helping us navigate the ever-changing media landscape.” Read more about Howser’s impressive career — and how his professional experience became personal when he received a life-saving liver transplant at Vanderbilt Transplant Center: https://bit.ly/4yAJ8mW