If you know Nashville, you know Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).
VUMC stands tall and is a leading non-profit institution that works closely with the University through shared research and educational programs. It is one of the largest academic medical centers in the Southeast and is well known for its missions of patient care, training resident physicians and medical students, and conducting biomedical research. VUMC is also seen in the news for many renovations and expansions, including its acquisition earlier this year of Wilson County’s only hospital, now called Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The Medical Center offers a full range of patient care services with facilities located throughout Middle Tennessee including Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, The Vanderbilt Clinic, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Health at One Hundred Oaks and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Through its membership in the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, the Medical Center is part of the largest provider-led health care network in the region. The Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network includes more than 6,000 clinicians, 69 hospitals and 110 quick-care clinic locations throughout Tennessee and neighboring states working together to share best practices and improve health across populations.
VUMC manages more than 2.3 million patient visits each year and is the only Level 1 trauma center in Middle Tennessee. It also houses the region’s only Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit, which cares for the sickest babies, at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
With a great foundation for service comes great responsibility to operationally remain up to date and innovative.
VUMC is constantly at work on advancements to patient care and expanding its services and facilities, while adding new clinical and basic science research initiatives. In 2018, the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine was among the top recipients in the nation of research support funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One research program, funded by a $71.6 million NIH grant, supports VUMC’s role as the Data and Research Center for the “All of Us” program, which intends to collect genetic data on at least 1 million U.S. citizens to accelerate discoveries that will lead to the prevention and treatment of diseases.
Currently, the All of Us program has enrolled more than 230,000 participants, which, according to Joshua Denny, MD, MS, of VUMC, “includes more than 80% from groups that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research.” Over a year after its launch, they are almost one-fourth of the way to their goal of 1 million people. Researchers have predicted that they “expect to have enrolled 1 million core participants by approximately 2024.” All of Us enrolls participants who are 18 years and older, from a network of 340 recruitment sites. As of Aug. 8, more than 182,000 core participants had contributed biospecimens, including DNA samples. Electronic health records had been collected from more than 112,000 participants. With the inclusion of such a variety of data, the program will advance studies of diseases and treatment across many variables.
Other advancements within Vanderbilt include construction of a new pediatric surgery and ambulatory services facility in Rutherford County. This new state-of-the-art facility will serve Murfreesboro and surrounding communities and intends to increase convenience and provide greater access to advanced pediatric health services for children and their families. The project is expected to be complete by late 2019.
Another heartwarming project benefiting children is the four-floor expansion of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The first two floors will be completed this year. When all four new floors are open this will add 160,000 square feet of total new space and the most advanced technology to serve our little loved ones.
“We could not have made it to this important milestone without the tremendous support of our many partners — community pediatricians, the business and entertainment communities, individual philanthropy and, of course, the children and families of Middle Tennessee and beyond,” said Luke Gregory, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital.
VUMC has taken service and care into its own hands by hoping to serve not only Nashvillians, but all surrounding counties to the best of its ability. To this end, the Medical Center acquired Tennova Healthcare-Lebanon, located in Wilson County. This is a 245-bed, two-campus facility capable of caring for both inpatients and outpatients through its on-site clinic facilities. All at Vanderbilt are excited for this new acquisition.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center remains a cutting edge, full-range facility capable of teaching, sharing, healing, and so much more. Its commitment to excellence proves to Tennessee and surrounding states that they are a leader and a servant to the community in more ways than one.
Get involved and learn more about Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
(615) 322-5000