Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Lili Tao, MD, PhD, medical director of Mycology and Immunoserology, shows Maggie Weiss a culture plate on which the fungus that causes histoplasmosis is growing. (photo by Susan Urmy)

January 22, 2026

A grateful patient says ‘thank you’ to Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories

The infection can result from inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which grows in soil throughout Middle Tennessee, especially in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Previously, blood samples had to be sent to a reference lab in Utah.

By Bill Snyder

January 21, 2026

Experts urge parents to be aware of potential dangers of cold weather

As residents prepare for frigid temperatures, injury and prevention experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt urge parents to be aware of potential dangers.

By Jessica Pasley

Traumatic brain injury patient Mark Ogorodnik. (photo by Donn Jones)

January 20, 2026

From tragedy to triumph: How a 6-year-old beat the odds after a devastating brain injury

A fall from a tree left Mark Ogorodnik fighting for his life. Thanks to faith, family and cutting-edge neurocritical care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, his story became a testament to resilience and hope.

By Christina Echegaray

January 20, 2026

Following recommended schedule helps keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases

Any length of time without immunizations is a time without protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

By Jessica Pasley

January 15, 2026

How a summer job sparked Paul Dressler’s career in developmental medicine

The Patient and Family Choice Award recipient shares why developmental medicine is never just about protocols.

By Danny Bonvissuto

January 2, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘It was as if I had fallen into a pit of darkness with no way out. But in that darkness, there was a light. That light was Jasmine.’

Jasmine Bruton, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Medicine and Acute Care unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.