Vanderbilt University Medical Center

July 5, 1984, marked a major change in trauma care in Middle Tennessee. This was the day that Vanderbilt University Medical Center's LifeFlight program was introduced. In its first 40 years, LifeFlight has made 76,942 flights and transported 80,118 patients. It’s transported another 37,133 patients since its ground transport program began; critical care ground transports number 4,188. Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, pilots and staff who have contributed to LifeFlight's journey. You can read more on the history of the program in the article below. https://bit.ly/3WjiKOt

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Irving Zamora, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Pediatric Surgery, and Aimal Khan, MD, assistant professor of Surgery, have received a grant from the Association for Surgical Education (ASE) to support the development and validation of an objective robotic skills assessment tool for surgical trainees. Zamora and Khan will work with collaborators from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering to develop a novel metric called the Clutch Proficiency Index (CPI) to objectively measure the skill level of surgical trainees. https://bit.ly/3zANWjp

Jennifer Najjar, MD recently retired after 47 years as a pediatric endocrinologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. When Najjar began practicing, the Division of Endocrinology followed a few hundred patients. Today, the division follows more than 4,100 patients annually. “Jennifer will retire, but the forces she has unleashed at Vanderbilt will continue long into the future,” said William E. Russell, MD, director of the Ian M. Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. “Jennifer has been one of the kindest and most devoted physicians I have ever known. She was tenacious about being available to her patients 24/7. Generations of learners have become pediatricians and endocrinologists because of Jennifer, and multiple generations of patients from the same families were her patients.” Join us in wishing Dr. Najjar a happy retirement! https://bit.ly/3XVWpHO

Tracy Frech, MD, MSCI, has been named to direct the division of Rheumatology and Immunology in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and will assume the new role Sept. 1. “Dr. Frech is a devoted teacher and mentor and has been the principal investigator of multiple clinical trials and collaborative efforts defining effective monitoring and treatments for systemic sclerosis patients. She will bring insight and vision to an outstanding division currently being led by Dr. Crofford,” said Jane Freedman, MD, professor of Medicine, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, interim chair of the Department of Medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Frech! https://bit.ly/4dc3vwv

Connie Orr, a care partner in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, was honored as the Care Partner of the Year at Monroe Carell. The announcement was part of a weeklong celebration to elevate this group of employees at all Vanderbilt Health hospitals. Connie has worked at Vanderbilt for 46 years, serving at the University, followed by nutrition services and for the last 37 years in the PACU. Congratulations, Connie! We appreciate your hard work and dedication to serving our patients. https://bit.ly/3Lftret

Happy 40th anniversary to Vanderbilt LifeFlight! From taking care of patrons to the athletes themselves, LifeFlight plays a key role at events all over our region. And our friends with the Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Club, Nashville Sounds Baseball Club and Vanderbilt University Athletics join us in saying "Thank you!"

At last week's Experience Spring Hill event, we had representation from both Vanderbilt Health and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, spreading the good news about our services offered in Spring Hill, TN. Some of these services are Women's Health, Pediatrics, Radiation Oncology, and walk-in clinics. With over 4,000 people in attendance, we had a great time chatting with the community. Thanks for hanging out with us, Spring Hill!

Anderson Bottomy, MSN, RN, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN). Bottomy, a registered nurse in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital, was one of a record 18 candidates vying for seven open seats on the board. He was the only nonincumbent candidate elected. “The decision to appoint Anderson to the AAMN board acknowledges his long-standing investment in the advancement of nursing practice locally and regionally and in making the profession a desirable choice for all, including men,” said Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital. Congratulations, Anderson Bottomy, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, SCRN, NI-BC, NE-BC! https://bit.ly/4cISm5X

Mildred T. Stahlman, MD, who pioneered the treatment of lung disease in premature infants and who was a tireless advocate of children of all ages, died over the weekend. She was 101 years old. During her incredible career, she helped establish the nation’s first newborn intensive care unit here at Vanderbilt, which used monitored respiratory therapy in babies born with damaged lungs. She also established Vanderbilt’s Division of Neonatology. “Dr. Stahlman was pioneering in so many ways. Refusing to accept the poor outcomes of babies born prematurely, she forged new methods to support their survival while upending the field of neonatology. Throughout her life, she generously supported numerous programs and services that have advanced our mission,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During a 2009 lecture to medical students, Stahlman was asked what advice she had for doctors in training. Stahlman answered: “What I would hope that I could convince you of is that if you are ever going to practice medicine, the first thing you have to learn is charity. What is charity? Charity is unqualified love.” According to Stahlman’s wishes, no memorial service will be held. You can read more about her life and career below. https://bit.ly/3zqNzaY

Eunice Huang, MD, MS, associate surgeon-in-chief at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been named to the Board of Governors for the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA). As a governor, Huang will work to support the professional life cycle of its members and be a voice for children with surgical problems, with an intentional focus on areas in which the voice of a pediatric surgeon is especially effective. “APSA is my professional family, and I feel privileged to lead by serving this organization,” said Huang. “Our vision is to promote diversity and inclusivity, which fosters innovation, scientific discovery and collaboration, for the betterment of children with surgical diseases and trauma.” Congratulations, Dr. Huang! https://bit.ly/3W39Vs1