Vanderbilt Children's Neurosurgery

12/02/2025

Squid and Velour are paws-itively pumped because today is ! 🐾 Paws-in if you’re participating in this global day of generosity! ❤️

12/02/2025

Today is ! Your support of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt helps deliver hope and provide personalized care for patients and their families. You can make a gift by visiting https://bit.ly/3MgEbwU. All gifts will be matched for double the impact. ❤️

11/26/2025

Through the annual Jingle Toy Drive, you can help make the holidays special for patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, patients like Porter. Read more about Porter's story below and visit JingleToyDrive.org for ways to get involved.

"While spending the holiday season in the hospital was not what we would have chosen for ourselves or our 2-year-old son, I think our entire family was surprised at how much joy can still be experienced. Porter's favorite surprise came in early December with a custom Christmas tree, fully decorated with lights and construction ornaments, along with a hard hat and vest ... a magical moment created by the Child Life team that brought immense joy to Porter and our entire family.

During the eight months that Porter spent at Monroe Carell, we rarely, if ever, heard him ask to go home. We credit that to the incredible Child Life team and so many others who constantly were there to ensure he was surrounded by toys, games, music and so many people who cared about his continued happiness while living in the hospital." – Porter's mom, Liz

11/25/2025

Squid and Velour are fetching the best holiday gifts at the Friends Shop! You can find gifts that give back and make this season extra special. Visit us on the second floor of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Shop with heart and help support patients and families! 🐾🎁

11/25/2025

We are so grateful to Nissan for their support of Be In The Zone, a teen driver safety program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Nine schools signed up to participate in this year’s program, which included a daylong event at Monroe Carell, where students experienced a mock trauma simulation in the emergency department.

“At Nissan, safety is more than a feature — it’s a responsibility. Empowering teens to educate and inspire their peers is an effective strategy to promote and encourage safe driving habits,” said Ali Tonn, senior manager, philanthropy, Nissan North America. “Be In The Zone is designed to engage young drivers as leaders, equipping them with the tools to teach others about the importance of focus, responsibility and smart decision-making behind the wheel. We are proud to partner with Monroe Carell to build a culture of safety that starts with youth and spreads throughout our community.”

Thank you, Nissan!

Read more here: https://news.vumc.org/2025/10/30/program-shows-students-that-distracted-driving-can-take-many-forms/

11/24/2025

Hockey Fights Cancer 💜

Always a very special night! Thank you, Nashville Predators and Nashville Predators Foundation for standing with us in the fight against cancer!

11/22/2025

Friday fun with the Commodore crew —
Now let’s bring the win on Saturday, too!
Go ’Dores! 🖤💛

11/20/2025

Over the past week, we have done a lot of check-ins with ourselves, our families, our crews, our aircraft and our community. We’ve gone through every measure to ensure we are ready to board our aircraft. And we are ready. We have resumed flight operations at multiple bases and are here to take your call.

Serving our communities is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we appreciate our partners giving us the time we needed. Our ground teams, critical care ground, event medicine and communications teams have been working diligently, continuing to support community needs while our air crews prepared to get back to the skies. Now, our flight crews get back to doing what we do best, and we do it in honor of Allan.

11/18/2025

11/17/2025

We’re proud to celebrate Scott and Sandi Borchetta for their generous $5 million pledged gift to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Their support will expand care for our tiniest patients in the NICU. The new 14th floor will be named the Scott & Sandi Borchetta Floor in honor of their commitment to children and families. 💙

Read more here: https://news.vumc.org/2025/11/10/monroe-carell-jr-childrens-hospital-at-vanderbilthonors-scott-and-sandi-borchetta

11/13/2025

“You treat them like your own.”

That’s how Sue Chmiel describes her work in the Level IV neonatal intensive care unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

As a physician assistant and pediatric nutritionist, Sue cares for fragile infants across a range of gestational ages. Her day may include attending deliveries, performing procedures, coordinating with specialists or transporting newborns from regional facilities for higher-level care.

She also rotates through regional NICUs at Maury Regional Medical Center and Williamson Medical Center. Her background in pediatric nutrition, along with a family of clinicians including her mom and sister—inspired her path into health care.

Since 2016, Sue has found her home at Vanderbilt Health. What stands out most? Her coworkers.

“My team is incredible,” she said. “We are so different, but we always show up for each other to deliver the best care possible.”

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

11/12/2025