Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Two famous names among Gina Dudley’s health care role models: Florence Nightingale, who pioneered modern nursing; and Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross. Gina, clinic director for Vanderbilt Integrated Providers, Tullahoma, has peers among her mentors at Vanderbilt also: “I have been blessed to work with the most amazing leaders. Robin Steaban, Marie Glaser and Ann Cross all guided me to leadership and have always been very supportive and inspiring. Pamela Chandler and Denise Musgrove – both were nurses and echo techs and both were the epitome of customer service. I frequently use them as my example of excellent customer service! My teams I work with daily provide compassionate and quality care to patients.” Gina works in outpatient clinics in Tullahoma and Shelbyville. She focuses heavily on community engagement, and her work was important for the Rural Health Clinic Joint Commission designation for the Vanderbilt Integrated Provider clinics. Gina started as a PRN (pro re nata nurse, working as needed or on call) with Vanderbilt Heart Shelbyville in 2005, and became full-time in 2006. She takes pride in the growth of our outpatient care. “There were few outreach clinics in 2005-2006. I have had the privilege of being a part of acquiring and opening new clinics, moving clinics that have outgrown their space, and most recently working with our regional clinics that were a part of the acquisition of Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital,” she said. “I am grateful every day for the opportunities to serve my teams, our patients and our communities! I have been touched by so many lives and so many stories! … Providing quality care in our (‘my’) communities so patients can be close to home is important to me and one of my favorite parts of working in ambulatory (outpatient) care." Then there is what brings Gina joy outside of work: “Being home on my flower farm with my family.”

Since 2009, Lakita has been a key part of Vanderbilt Health, leading hand hygiene efforts across inpatient and outpatient settings. She works with the Infection Prevention team and supports Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and our regional sites in training and education. Lakita’s passion for health care was inspired by her mother, a retired nurse, and strengthened by her own family’s experiences at Vanderbilt. She values the teamwork and collaboration that make patient safety a top priority. Beyond work, Lakita enjoys traveling, volunteering and taking part in Vanderbilt’s wellness programs. She has benefited from mindful stretch breaks and the Diabetes Prevention Program, which have helped her build lifelong healthy habits. Thank you, Lakita, for your commitment to a safer, healthier environment for our patients and teams! Want to learn more about joining our team? https://lnkd.in/gQS8ZhRY

Surprise! Meet our newest four-legged employee, Velour! Velour joins Squid as part of Canine Clinicians, the Facility Dog Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Velour is an energetic 2-year-old yellow lab. We also welcome Kaylor Glassman, Velour’s handler, to the Monroe Carell team! Meredith George, a certified Child Life specialist on the hematology-oncology floor, is Velour’s secondary handler. 🐾 We are so grateful to the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, Kacey Musgraves and Amazon for supporting Canine Clinicians and making Velour’s impact possible! We celebrated Velour’s arrival with doggy bingo, crafts, “adoptable” puppies and so much more!

Congratulations to Kevin Plowman, RN, a recent recipient of the DAISY Award, which recognizes extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families. Kevin works in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. He was nominated by one of his patients, who wrote: “Kevin Plowman was kind, professional, caring and AMAZING to my family as we had to say goodbye to my husband, while he was hospitalized in the MICU. “The last morning was very hard as we knew my husband was not going to recover. Kevin was on call but didn’t know if he would be called in. That morning, a new nurse came in and told us that Kevin was here and would like to take over care. I cried, I was so touched and relieved that Kevin was going to be with us to help us through this tough day." Join Us In Making Health Care Personal Vanderbilt Health is hiring caring professionals for a wide range of nursing roles to work in our health system, which offers strong stability, flexible scheduling and broad opportunity for growth. Learn more about joining our nursing community: https://bit.ly/3yOUL08

Mohamed Hania, DDS, is shaping the future of craniofacial orthodontic care — one patient at a time. As a craniofacial orthodontist and assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Plastic Surgery, he provides specialized treatment for newborns, children and adults with cleft lip and palate, sleep apnea and complex jaw conditions. “This is a new service at Vanderbilt, and I’m looking forward to building not just a good program, but a center of excellence in craniofacial orthodontic care,” Hania says. Originally from Ireland, Hania trained in the U.K. before joining Vanderbilt. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking and exploring Nashville. Looking for a career where you can make a difference? https://lnkd.in/eetCuJE9

The American College of Cardiology has again awarded Vanderbilt University Medical Center the designation of Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Resuscitation. “We are honored to receive this award as a team,” said Colin Barker, MD, medical director of the Vanderbilt Chest Pain Center and director of Interventional and Structural Cardiology. “This achievement is a testament to VUMC’s collective dedication, hard work and commitment to providing superior cardiovascular care to our patients.” This is the seventh consecutive time VUMC has been designated with this accreditation from the ACC, which will last three years. https://lnkd.in/ed22qU-C

The right technology makes all the difference. At Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories, automation and smart workflows help us process lab tests faster and more accurately—getting critical results to doctors and patients without delay. This efficiency improves care across Vanderbilt Health, supporting hospitals, clinics, and specialty services. Want to be part of a team that’s shaping the future of lab medicine? Join us at https://lnkd.in/eAJzDXpj

This Heart Month we’re recognizing the vital role our pediatric rehabilitation team plays in caring for children with cardiac conditions at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Physical, occupational and speech therapists work closely with the cardiac team to support motor development, feeding skills and recovery both before and after surgery or transplant. They provide hands-on education, recommend equipment and services and ensure families have the tools they need for life beyond the hospital. Their expertise and dedication help our young patients build strength every day.

Transforming lives, one heartbeat at a time. Dr. Carlos Mery recently joined Vanderbilt as chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and co-executive director of the Pediatric Heart Institute. A congenital heart surgeon, he specializes in caring for children and adults with congenital heart disease, with a focus on newborns and young patients. Mery is dedicated to providing the highest level of care while working to build Vanderbilt into one of the nation’s leading centers for pediatric and congenital cardiac care. “I love the people — their passion, their energy and their commitment to go above and beyond for patients and families,” he says. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, photography and spending time with his wife and three children. Please join us in welcoming Mery to Vanderbilt! Want to learn more about joining our team? https://bit.ly/4bsBEsh

Amy Adlich, RN, explains scalp cooling treatment, available at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, by answering some common questions. This treatment helps reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss by minimizing blood flow and metabolism in the scalp. Scroll through the photos to find out more about this COOL treatment!