Vanderbilt Children's Neurosurgery

03/04/2026

After a six-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Strive, the popular teen volunteer program introduced in 2009, returns to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt this summer. And the deadline to apply is coming up fast — March 6!

More than 400 youth between 16 and 18 years old have participated in the service-learning program that offers a unique opportunity to experience multiple areas of a hospital and interact with patients, siblings and family members.

For former participants, the program left an undeniable impression — impacting not only individual development, but also career decisions.

Click the links in the comments for the application link, to learn more about the program, and to read more testimonials from ex-Strive volunteers who became Monroe Carell employees.

03/04/2026

“She empowers nurses at all levels to ask questions, seek solutions, and embrace innovation in their practice.”

Amanda works in Nursing Quality at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

“Amanda exemplifies the essence of extraordinary leadership, consistently fostering an environment built on trust, compassion, mutual respect, and professional growth. Amanda’s expertise and tireless efforts ensure that quality improvement principles are integrated into daily workflows, that patient needs are accurately identified, and that problems are addressed in real time.”

“She leads with an open-door policy and creates a culture where staff feel valued, empowered and supported.”

Learn more about joining our team at the link in the comments below.

03/03/2026

Teens and young adults with congenital heart disease reach a point when they’ve outgrown pediatric care. They must learn to manage their own heart condition and medical care – vs. having their parent do it – and they need specialized care designed for adults. See the link in the comments for information about how to make this important shift.

03/02/2026

Exciting news! Vanderbilt Health is now the Official Healthcare Provider for the Tennessee Titans! Check out the post for more details.

02/23/2026

Living with epilepsy can mean managing the unpredictable nature of seizures and navigating social stigma. But people with epilepsy can lead healthy, productive lives. The important thing is to understand the condition and your treatment options and find helpful resources. See the comments for a guide to managing epilepsy.

02/20/2026

Caregiving can be a lonely world. Those caring for others often feel lonely, isolated and unacknowledged for all their work and sacrifice. They can experience anger and resentment toward family members and others who carry on as usual, while they of necessity give up much of their normal life. Caregivers can find comfort in learning that such feelings are perfectly normal and in finding ways to cope with them through support groups and the experience of others.

We recognize the vital importance of partnering with patients’ caregivers and assisting them to find resources for their own self care. Check out the link in our comments for resources you may find helpful.

02/19/2026

What if screen time could help a child heal?

At Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Graden helps alleviate patients hospital stress and anxiety with gaming. As a pediatric gaming and technology specialist, he uses therapeutic gaming and virtual reality to reduce anxiety, encourage movement and give our little patients a greater sense of control during their care.

For patients recovering from heart procedures and other complex conditions, that can mean building strength one level at a time or finding focus before a big moment.

His work also includes 3D printing. Working with child life specialists and care teams, digital images are turned into real, hands-on models that children can see and touch. Instead of trying to picture what is happening inside their body, patients can explore a model designed just for them. It helps explain upcoming procedures, answer questions and ease fear through understanding.

Some call it screen time, but here it’s part of the care plan.

Game on.

Read more at the link in the comments below.

02/18/2026

Office with a view – of the OR! 🩺

Watch as Curronica, a certified surgical technologist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt readies the OR for action.

Learn more about joining our team at the link in the comments below.

02/13/2026

As surgeries to treat congenital heart diseases have gotten better, more and more children with these types of birth defects are growing into adulthood. That’s great news! However, some congenital heart disease increases the chances that a child will have behavioral, developmental or neurological problems over time. See the link in the comments for more about how congenital heart disease can affect neurodevelopment.

02/12/2026