Moving into summer months typically brings anticipation of slowing down and relaxing. However, we find our summer routine more like that of the children we serve — constant activity from sunup to sundown. Our expansion floors in the hospital look a little different every day — also like children who grow quickly. Even as we witness daily structural change, we are busy planning and preparing for the internal program transitions that will occur as we open our new floors beginning summer 2019. We are excited about the opportunity the new space affords to co-locate existing services as well as introduce new programs that meet the needs of our patients and families. Yet, we realize daily that Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is more than our bricks and beds — it is our culture of people committed to providing healing and hope.

The foundation of our daily work is built upon excellence in clinical care, discovery, innovation and education, all of which are integrated to deliver specialized and personalized care plans for patients and families. Nearly 50 years ago, three of our early pioneers in subspecialty pediatrics launched their work and our subsequent services by bringing research to the bedside: John Lukens, MD, in cancer, Thomas Graham, MD, in cardiology, and Mildred Stahlman, MD, in neonatology. Today, through our stories, we are pleased to share the legacy of these pioneers and more. We highlight our pediatric cancer program and some of the unique treatments and services we offer that set us apart as the region’s leading center for children and adolescents with cancer. Through the eyes of three boys who became friends while awaiting new hearts, we share the story of what it is like to be a patient in our hospital supported by the many services that truly make it a place of healing. We also introduce two new innovative lung programs that illustrate the longstanding tradition of integrating patient care with clinical research. And finally, we celebrate the careers of some of our faculty members — the people who deliver the care, mentor the next generation, lead programs and make discoveries.

The core of our mission and daily work is to serve all children, and their families, through the delivery of specialized medical and surgical programs. Our early pioneers set this vision many decades ago. It is a true privilege to participate in improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents. We are grateful to our partners in the community who make it possible for us to continue to build a place, create the programs and recruit the people to deliver healing and hope for decades to come.

Sincerely,

Luke Gregory, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer

Meg Rush, MD, MMHC
Chief of Staff and Executive Medical Director

John W. Brock III, MD
Senior Vice President of Pediatric Surgical Services, Monroe Carell Jr. Professor and Surgeon-in-Chief

Steven Webber, MBChB, MRCP
Pediatrician-in-Chief, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and James C. Overall Professor