Reporter Feb 13 2015

As we begin 2015, many at VUMC would say they have experienced more change in the last year than at any time in their careers. Read More

Vanderbilt University is partnering with the William K. Warren Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on research aimed at improving the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of serious mental illness. Read More

Catatonia, a syndrome characterized by muscular rigidity and a trance-like mental stupor, can at times manifest with great excitement and confusion. And while it is often associated with schizophrenia, it can present in patients with either medical or psychiatric conditions. For this reason, the condition has often confused clinicians. Read More

An Institute of Medicine committee chaired by Vanderbilt University’s Ellen Wright Clayton, M.D., J.D., on Tuesday called for a new name and new diagnostic criteria for what is familiarly known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Read More

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is experiencing a resurgence, and its tiniest victims are not armed to battle the contagious respiratory infection. Read More

Professional behavior specialists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are using a new survey tool to determine the effectiveness of training courses to help physicians correct disruptive workplace behavior. Read More

John Penn, Ph.D., Phyllis G and William B. Snyder Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been named president-elect of the International Society for Eye Research (ISER). Read More

Lorraine Ware, M.D., professor of Medicine and Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, will receive the American Thoracic Society’s (ATS) Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishments at the society’s 2015 International Conference in Denver in May. Read More

A half-day workshop for Vanderbilt University graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows on “building professional relationships” will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Student Life Center. Read More

Bill Nealon, M.D., professor of Surgery, associate Surgeon-in-Chief and associate executive Medical Director of Perioperative Services, is leaving Vanderbilt effective March 31. He’s been at Vanderbilt since 2009. Read More

The evidence is increasing: the immune system and inflammation are key contributors to high blood pressure. Read More

Country music group BlackHawk recently presented a check for $20,000 to Harold (Hal) Moses, M.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and director emeritus of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), in support of cancer research. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos jumped in the dance line to join students, volunteers, sponsors and special guests for Vanderbilt University Dance Marathon’s Big Event 2015 on Saturday at the Student Life Center. Read More

Vanderbilt biologists have found a direct link between the biological clock and Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder that occurs in more than one in every 15,000 live births. The link may provide a valuable way to judge the effectiveness of the first experimental drugs under development for treating the syndrome. Read More

The discovery of a new "reset" button for the brain’s master biological clock could eventually lead to new treatments for seasonal affective disorder, reduce the adverse health effects of working the night shift, and possibly even treat jet lag. Read More