Latest news with #VanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenter
Axios
a day ago
- Health
- Axios
Vanderbilt University Medical Center announces up to 650 layoffs
Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced Friday that up to 650 people would be laid off as the institution scrambles to respond to the Trump administration's steep cuts to medical research. The big picture: The Trump administration is pursuing massive cuts to National Institutes of Health research grants and to the Department of Health and Human Services. The budget bill pending in Congress proposes deep cuts to Medicaid, which provides health insurance to 83 million low-income adults and their children. Aggressive cuts have put research hospitals across the country on their heels. VUMC president and CEO Jeff Balser previously warned that the federal cuts would lead to layoffs and hobbled research projects. Flashback: In March, VUMC announced plans to slash its budget by $250 million because of the Trump administration's spending cuts. At the time, Balser said more cuts and layoffs could be needed as the scope of the funding fallout became clear. The latest: In a new statement Friday, VUMC said operating costs would be cut by $300 million due to "budgetary actions in Washington, DC related to government-sponsored research and patient care." Layoffs will hit up to 650 employees "primarily in research, administrative and other support areas." That total includes employees who were already laid off earlier this year as well as a new round of reductions that began Friday. VUMC announced staffing reductions in a video message to employees. What they're saying:"While this is extremely difficult, the staffing loss represents less than 2% of VUMC's total workforce," the VUMC statement read. Laid off employees will get severance and "other assistance." "VUMC sees more than 3.5 million patient visits each year and remains committed to meeting the needs of all who depend on us for health care."
The Hill
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Supreme Court's Skrmetti decision bolsters legacy of protecting children's health
News cycles don't have a very long shelf life. Who remembers Chinese spy balloons or toxic train spills in Ohio? Though events like these typically occupy just a short time in the national spotlight, there are some stories that have measurable results we're still seeing today. One example is a story from three years ago when conservative commentator Matt Walsh uncovered that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was performing so-called gender procedures on children. Through a chain of events set off by that controversy, the school shut down its gender clinic. Tennessee lawmakers then passed a law that protects children from those dangerous procedures. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court has just upheld that law's constitutionality in a decision released today in U.S. v. Skrmetti. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion that Tennessee's law is 'plainly rationally related' to 'the state's objective of protecting minors' health and welfare.' He continued: 'After Tennessee enacted SB1, a report commissioned by England's National Health Service characterized the evidence concerning the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender minors as 'remarkably weak,' concluding that there is 'no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.'' It's important to appreciate what a monumental win this is. So many children have been rushed into injecting cross-sex hormones that are not meant for their developing bodies. And some have had otherwise healthy body parts removed. As a result of these procedures, they are subjected to deeper health complications and lifetimes as medical patients. Those who change course and accept their biological sex (known as 'detransitioners') all too often explain that the doctors who pushed them down this path did little to no looking into their underlying issues, such as mental health struggles or unresolved childhood trauma. To protect these children, Tennessee passed its law. With the Supreme Court's ruling in Skrmetti, more children are likely to get the treatment they deserve instead of being rushed down a destructive road by adults who should know better. It hasn't been a smooth journey getting to this point. Gender ideologues have aggressively advanced their vision for their next generation. One of the earliest experts sounding the alarm was Dr. Allan Josephson, who headed up the University of Louisville's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and turned it into one of the nation's most respected programs. In 2017, Dr. Josephson spoke in his personal capacity at a Heritage Foundation event, warning that treating children as the opposite sex is ineffective. University officials received complaints about his presentation, harassed him for it, and ultimately refused to renew his contract. Alliance Defending Freedom, where I serve as chief legal counsel, represented Dr. Josephson in a lawsuit against the university. After many years of litigation, the school decided to settle the case to the tune of $1.6 million just a few months ago. There have been other signs that gender ideology is losing steam. The seemingly daily headlines of males displacing women in their own sports has resulted in two-thirds of Americans saying that males who identify as women should not be allowed to compete in women's sports. A lawsuit in England brought by a young woman against the National Health System led to the closure of the Tavistock Gender Clinic, which then resulted in the study by Dr. Cass mentioned by Roberts in his opinion in Skrmetti. States have an interest in seeing that children are not subject to risky and unproven medical procedures. That's why laws like Tennessee's law is constitutional and why the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's effort to protect kids. States also have an interest in upholding the constitutional right to speak freely on the issue of gender ideology. This freedom extends to licensed professionals who work with children struggling with gender dysphoria and desiring to grow comfortable with their sex. Colorado, however, has a law that does just the opposite. If a youth walks into a counselor's office and says she has begun to identify as the opposite sex but she's worried about the path of 'transition,' the counselor has only one option — to encourage the child to embrace the new identity. The law prohibits counselors from helping that young person achieve her goal of being comfortable with her own body. The Supreme Court will soon consider Chiles v. Salazar, a case that will be argued in the fall and in which ADF represents licensed professional counselor Kaley Chiles in her challenge to Colorado's law. The obvious question is: If Tennessee's law is constitutional, why is Colorado's unconstitutional? The answer: The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. Colorado's law violates free speech guarantees because it forbids counselors from engaging in counseling conversations that they and their young clients desire. In contrast, the Tennessee law regulates only the conduct of administering drugs and performing medical procedures, neither of which the First Amendment protects. That's why Tennessee's law was upheld, whereas Colorado's should fall. Headlines come and go, but the courageous people who defend our children — and the politicians and professionals who offer them real care — leave a lifetime legacy worth applauding. Jim Campbell is chief legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal).
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Alarming COVID Symptom Is Everywhere With The Latest Variant. We Asked Experts What You Need To Know.
A positive COVID-19 test result is not something that anyone wants to see — but now there may be an extra reason to avoid getting sick. COVID infections cause miserable symptoms such as fever, fatigue, congestion and more. Now, though, some people infected with COVID in China are reporting a very sore throat that's been nicknamed 'razor blade throat.' According to Google trends data, people throughout the U.S. are now, too, worried about this scary-sounding symptom and are searching for things like 'new covid variant painful symptom' and 'covid razor throat.' Just how worried do you need to be about a super-painful sore throat during a COVID infection? Below, doctors weigh in on the supposed 'razor blade' sore throat symptom: Some people with COVID are reporting a 'razor blade throat,' but you don't need to panic. It's nothing new. Related: I Was Widowed At 29. Then An Unexpected Phone Call Led Me To Discover My Husband's Affairs. 'In the past, as new variants have come on the scene, there almost invariably have been questions about distinctive symptoms, and after a while, when you gather a lot of data, turns out not to be the case — all of these symptoms have occurred before,' said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine in the department of health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Meaning, the circulating COVID variants tend to produce the same sort of symptoms and disease as the ones from years ago, Schaffner added. 'Although the more recent variants, these omicron variants, are less severe,' he said. A very sore throat isn't specific to the circulating COVID variants, said Dr. Carrie Horn, the chief medical officer and chief of the division of hospital and internal medicine at National Jewish Health in Colorado. Instead, it's a symptom that has been associated with COVID infections for a while, Horn said. Schaffner had not heard of the 'razor blade' sore throat symptom particularly, but has heard of people having a severe sore throat with COVID infections. While some people can have a very sore throat that could be described as razor-like, it doesn't mean it's going to happen to everyone — and it also isn't some new, scary symptom that is associated with new COVID infections. There is not one outstanding COVID symptom that marks an infection, said Dr. Mark Burns, an infectious disease expert at UofL Health in Louisville, Kentucky. 'A sore throat is a symptom of this, but also fever and cough and fatigue, these are all symptoms as well,' Burns added. 'To sum it all up, the symptoms, including sore throat, are really no different. There's no increased intensity based on sore throat or anything like that,' added Burns. Here's how you can protect yourself from a COVID infection: Related: "People Are Creepy, And I'm Paranoid": 23 Safety Tips And Tricks Women Who Live Alone Do To Feel Safe And At Ease COVID tends to surge twice a year — once in the winter and once in the mid-to-late summer, Schaffner said. 'And so there has been a longstanding recommendation by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that people who are at increased risk of getting severe COVID should actually get two COVID vaccinations a year. Obviously, one in the fall to prevent the winter increase, but another right now in order to help prevent serious disease during the late summer and early fall,' Schaffner said. This goes for people 65 and older, younger people with underlying chronic medical conditions and pregnant people, he said. 'The recommendation is take special precautions and get that extra dose, because if we get infected ... we get that extra protection and to help keep us out of the hospital,' Schaffner said. Wearing a mask in indoor spaces, social distancing, washing your hands often and increasing ventilation when possible are more ways to protect yourself from COVID and other respiratory viruses, too, said Burns. If you do get sick, there are treatments available. If you have any COVID symptoms, such as sore throat, fatigue, cough or fever, take a test to see if you have COVID. If you are infected, get in touch with your doctor, particularly if you're high-risk as there are treatments available, said Schaffner. It's important that you talk to your primary care provider as the guidance will vary depending on your age, underlying conditions and other risk factors. COVID is a miserable infection, Horn added. 'Over-the-counter meds help — Ibuprofen alternating with Tylenol, if you're able to take those ... there's no reason to be miserable,' Horn said. 'So, take the medicine that you are able to take to help,' she said. It's also important to stay hydrated when you're sick even if you do have a painful sore throat. A sore throat can make hydration feel like more of a chore, but it's important to drink water and herbal teas as dehydration can further irritate the dry membranes in your throat, Horn said. 'If you are sick, it's best to keep your germs to yourself,' said Horn. This means canceling the dinner plans, not going to the party and calling out of work if you can — if you can't, wearing a tight-fitting mask is key, Horn added. 'Preventing transmission is the biggest thing that we can do to help keep everybody healthy,' Horn article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Goodful: "It's Nice To Feel Wanted": Guys Are Sharing The Small Gestures Women Do That Make Them Weak At The Knees Also in Goodful: "I Can't Wait For This To Go Out Of Style": People Are Sharing Popular Modern Trends That Are Actually Pretty Toxic Also in Goodful: I Was Devastated When The Love Of My Life Died. Then I Started Seeing Signs I Couldn't Explain.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare cancer diagnoses surge dramatically among millennials and Gen X
A rare type of cancer is growing among millennials and members of Generation X, new research shows. Diagnoses of appendix cancer have tripled in the U.S. for people born between 1976 and 1984 — and it has quadrupled for those born between 1981 and 1989. The study was published on Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Common Menopause Medication Might Prevent Breast Cancer While Treating Hot Flashes Researchers from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program to arrive at these findings. "When you take these alarming rates that we are seeing for appendiceal cancer across generations, together with the fact that one in every three patients diagnosed with appendiceal cancer is diagnosed under the age of 50, these point to a timely need for everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of appendix cancer," said lead author Andreana Holowatyj, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, in a press release from the university. Read On The Fox News App Fda Approves First Ai Tool To Predict Breast Cancer Risk Cancer of the appendix is rare, affecting only about one or two people per million each year in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Even so, doctors emphasize the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms emerge. "Ruling out the possibility of an appendix cancer diagnosis, or diagnosing it early, is important for this cancer as we continue to learn what factors may be contributing to this worrisome trend," Holowatyj said. Appendiceal cancer forms in the appendix, which is a small organ located in the lower right abdomen. There are two main types: epithelial appendiceal cancer, which involves the cells of the lining of the appendix, and neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer, which results from the growth of neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors of the appendix, the NCI states. In early stages of the disease, most people do not notice symptoms. As the cancer progresses, common symptoms include pain, a bloated feeling, a mass in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and sudden feelings of fullness while eating, according to the above source. Common treatments for this type of cancer include surgery to remove the appendix and any other affected organs, as well as chemotherapy to kill any metastasized cancer cells. Based on the study findings, the researchers are calling for increased awareness among both the public and the medical community. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "As incidence rates in younger generations are often indicative of future disease burden, these results support the need for histology-specific investigations of appendiceal adenocarcinoma, as well as increased education and awareness of appendiceal adenocarcinomas among healthcare providers and the public," the study stated. There are no standard screening guidelines or risk factors for appendix cancer, which means up to half of diagnoses occur after the disease has already spread, according to the researchers. Five-year survival rates for appendix cancer range from 10% to 63%. For more Health articles, visit The new study received funding from the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (ACPMP) Research Foundation and the National Institutes of article source: Rare cancer diagnoses surge dramatically among millennials and Gen X
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country singer Conner Smith involved in fatal pedestrian accident, police say
Country singer Conner Smith allegedly struck and killed a woman who was walking in a crosswalk in Nashville, authorities say. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Smith, 24, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on Sunday when a 77-year-old woman was crossing in the crosswalk. Police said the woman was struck around 7:30 p.m. The woman, identified as Dorothy Dobbins, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died. "The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian," Nashville police said in a statement. Police said Smith showed no signs of impairment and that there are no current charges as the investigation continues. In a statement to CBS News, Smith's attorney, Worrick G. Robinson, confirmed the incident and said Smith "continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation." "On June 8th, Conner Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed the life of Ms. Dorothy Dobbins," Robinson said. "His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time." This crash occurred on the final day of CMA Fest, a four-day festival that celebrates country music. Smith made an appearance at the event in Nashville the day prior. Smith, a rising country music star, was born and raised in Nashville. He is signed to Big Machine Label Group's The Valory Music Co. In 2024, Smith was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Smith also opened for country singer Luke Bryan on tour last year. Australian reporter covering Los Angeles protests shot with rubber bullet by police officer Eye Opener: Protests erupt in more cities over ICE deportations LAPD chief speaks out about deployment of military forces to anti-ICE protests
