Vanderbilt University Medical Center

A new study published in the journal Neurology, led by investigators at Vanderbilt Health and the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University, reveals that sleep apnea among former pro football players is underdiagnosed and undertreated. While only 32% of the nearly 2,000 former players surveyed had a formal diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, the data shows the true prevalence is likely closer to 69%. “Football players are physically unique individuals,” said the study’s co-first author, Douglas Terry, PhD, co-director of the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center. “They’re often quite tall and muscular, and when they retire, their bodies might predispose them to a variety of health risks. Being male, having a high body mass index and having a thick neck … often put people at greater risk for sleep apnea.” Terry added that of those who had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, many were not treating it adequately with a continuous positive airway pressure machine. The study points out that undiagnosed or undertreated sleep apnea drastically amplifies symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain and memory issues. Read more about the study here: https://bit.ly/49GavlK

Results from the latest Vanderbilt Child Health Poll show Tennessee parents overwhelmingly support routine childhood immunizations to keep their schools and communities safe. Here are a few takeaways from the statewide poll of 1,000 parents conducted in late 2025: • 85% of parents say their kids have received or will receive all recommended immunizations. • 8 in 10 parents agree or strongly agree that children should have a minimum set of immunizations to attend school. • Around 80% of parents are concerned about the return of preventable diseases such as measles if others choose not to immunize. • Over 75% of parents name their child’s primary care doctor as their most trusted source for immunization information. Routine childhood immunizations have prevented over 1 million U.S. deaths in the last 30 years. "Most parents clearly view immunizations as safe and important both for their own children and for the greater good," said Derek Williams, MD, MPH, professor of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell. “They also consistently highlight their child’s doctor as the best source of trustworthy information on this topic.” Read more about the poll results in our story: https://bit.ly/4nDsxel

Rick has always wanted to help people. He just didn't expect his office would be a multi-state stretch of highway with a critically ill newborn in the back. Rick is an advanced emergency medical technician on the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he and his team travel across a multi-state region to bring emergency medical care to patients from newborns to 17-year-olds, transporting them to a higher level of care. "I enjoy working on a team that can have a profound impact in the lives of critically ill children and their families." Eight years in, what keeps him going is the team around him and the work itself. “I also enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork we have on the team and exceptional level of medical care we provide throughout a large network of hospitals. This is a unique component of specialized care, and the equipment is challenging, which makes me a better health care provider.” When he's not on the road, you might find him tending his bees, building something in the wood shop or working out in the garden. Explore career opportunities at Vanderbilt Health: https://lnkd.in/e-qQuieN

In the new issue of Hope magazine, Dr. Meg Rush reflects on her retirement after 41 years at Vanderbilt Health. She passed the baton to Jamie Phillips, MHA, who succeeded Rush as president of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt on Jan. 12. “I am truly honored to join this remarkable team of professionals committed to providing compassionate care and advancing innovative research,” Phillips said. “My goal is to carry [Rush’s] legacy forward while working alongside all of you to reimagine care, research and innovation for the children and families we serve.” See more of their interview, and read the entire Hope issue, here: https://bit.ly/4nECzvH

Congratulations to Kayla, LPN, on receiving the DAISY Award at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital. Kayla works in the Emergency Department and was nominated by the family of a patient she cared for during one of the hardest moments of their lives. Here is what they shared: "Kayla made sure we understood every little detail that was being explained to us as each change in Dad's care plan happened. Kayla made sure we didn't feel rushed with decisions and also ensured that he was as comfortable as he could be. Upon his passing, she showed extreme compassion and care by making sure we understood the next steps in preparing for the funeral home. Kayla went above and beyond for not only him, but his family too. The whole team he had working on him from the nurses to LifeFlight, were great, but Kayla really went the extra mile and cared for us like family." Kayla, thank you for the care you bring to every patient and family you serve. Inspired to make a difference in your community? Explore nursing careers at Vanderbilt Health: https://lnkd.in/ea2JjJmw

For the estimated 200,000 people in the U.S. living with lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks tissues throughout the body, the physical toll of the disease is only half the battle. Roughly 80% experience "brain fog" — cognitive problems that impair learning, memory and attention. While traditional immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage physical symptoms, such as fatigue and abnormal heart rhythms, they often do not relieve the challenges people have with memory and concentration. But a breakthrough collaboration between researchers at Vanderbilt Health and Evergreen Therapeutics Inc. offers hope. Results from the Phase 2 ClearMEMory clinical trial show that EG501, an oral tablet that reduces neuroinflammation, significantly improved cognitive function in lupus patients. Nicole Keepers, a former paramedic and trial participant, noticed the difference within the first month: "I felt sharper. I could pay better attention … I could concentrate on what I was doing without losing track, without getting lost." Evergreen Therapeutics is now preparing for a larger, Phase 3 clinical trial to validate these results. Lupus patients “often identify cognitive problems as among the most disabling [symptoms] they have,” said study co-investigator James Jackson, PsyD, research professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt Health. “We’ve got a lot more work to do, but I think [ClearMEMory] is really welcome news for people who need good news.” Read more about the collaboration and its promise for lupus patients: https://bit.ly/4dSd32w

After a cancer screening, the results can trigger a lot of worry. In the second episode of the new season of the miniVHAN podcast, Dr. Shari Rajoo, chief medical officer at Ballad Health, discusses ways to improve “what happens next” after a screening. A member of the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, Dr. Rajoo talks about how a primary care provider — along with community health workers and care navigators — acts to safeguard patients from falling through the cracks of a complex system. Your PCP and team can make sure: • Someone explains what your results mean. • Follow-up happens quickly. You aren't left guessing which specialist to call. • You get sustained support that starts right away. “Find a primary care provider you feel comfortable with,” Dr. Rajoo advises. “And do not be afraid to ask those questions.” Listen to our 20-second clip, then download the full episode here: https://bit.ly/4uPhXmG

When a child needs specialty care, Bailey doesn't wait for them to come to Nashville. She goes to them. Bailey is a registered respiratory therapist on the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She and her team cross state lines to reach critically ill newborns and children at hospitals across Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Alabama. "We bring the ICU to them." She joined Vanderbilt Health in 2016 as a new graduate. During clinical rotations, she shadowed a transport RT who got called out on a run for a baby. That was it. "I just thought it was the coolest thing. From that point forward, I wanted to work here and one day be a part of the neonatal and pediatric transport team." Nine years later, she is exactly where she wanted to be. "What I love most about this job would be being able to help and be a resource to referring facilities to provide the best care possible for our vulnerable patients. I like being able to come together as a team to make sure the patients and their families are taken care of." Explore allied health careers at Vanderbilt Health: https://bit.ly/4nGlLmm

At a farm in rural Humphreys County, Tennessee, a unique collaboration between Vanderbilt Health researchers and a local farming family is helping advance nanobody science, with applications in early cancer detection, antibiotic-resistant infections and rare genetic diseases. The research is fueled by the farm’s alpacas. The work, led by Brian Wadzinski, PhD, and Ben Spiller, PhD, of Vanderbilt's Department of Pharmacology, has grown into a network of more than a dozen scientific collaborators across the country. It's also a story about community, purpose and what can happen when curiosity leads somewhere unexpected. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gXEbzdkp

Congrats to Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital on this exciting news. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this achievement.