VUMC sources interviewed for stories at New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, more

The most prominent news story involving VUMC over the last week has been national and international coverage of the role of Dolly Parton into vaccine research at Vanderbilt. The Moderna vaccine, which was developed by a research group including the lab of Mark Denison, MD, the E.C. Stahlman Professor of Pediatrics and director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, used funds from a donation from Parton for early research into the vaccine. The stories also mention the friendship between Parton and Naji Abumrad, MD, professor of Surgery. Among the outlets reporting on the Dolly Parton-VUMC connection were The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, BBC, CNN, NBC’s “Today” show and CBS News.

William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, continues to be one of the most in-demand sources about COVID-19, influenza and other subjects in the news. Among the news organizations he has spoken with recently: The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, American Public Media’s “Marketplace,” People magazine, Parents magazine

Melinda Buntin, PhD, professor and chair of Health Policy, was quoted in an Associated Press story about research showing that counties in Tennessee that do not require residents to wear masks in public have higher death rates from COVID-19.

Stacie Dusetzina, PhD, associate professor of Health Policy, was quoted in a story in The New York Times about the relationship between government and business and how the pandemic is revealing aspects of that relationship.