Nashville-based Cumberland Emerging Technologies (CET) - a joint initiative between Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Vanderbilt University, LaunchTN, and China's Gloria Pharmaceuticals - recently announced a collaborative agreement with the technology transfer organization for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Foundation for Research Development to develop new biomedical products.

Cancer Research UK has awarded a 20-million-pound grant (about $26 million US) to a team of international investigators, including Vanderbilt's James Goldenring, MD, PhD, to study inflammation-related cancers.

Last month, TriStar Health announced the opening of Centennial Women's Group, an OB/GYN physician practice that is fully dedicated to offering women convenient access to high-quality gynecology and reproductive health services, as well as pre-natal care and delivery.

In late February, Tennessee Sen. Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) and Rep. Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville) held a press conference in conjunction with NashvilleHealth to announce sponsorship of legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products to 21 from the current age of 18.

Last month, the Tennessee Department of Health issued the first maternal mortality review report, Tennessee Maternal Mortality Review of 2017 Maternal Deaths.

Using sophisticated gene sequencing and computing techniques, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the San Diego Supercomputer Center have achieved a first-of-its-kind glimpse into how the body's immune system gears up to fight off infection.

Nashville's oldest lobbying firm, Smith Harris & Carr, is now Harris Frazier Government Relations. The firm, originally known as Smith & Johnson, was founded in 1980.

On V. Seenu Reddy, MD, has been named president of the Nashville Academy of Medicine for 2019. Reddy is a cardiovascular surgeon with TriStar Centennial Medical Center.

Last month, TriStar Centennial Medical Center announced the addition of Jeremy Mark Alexander Pantin, MD, FACP to Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Cancer at TriStar Centennial.

A team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers, working with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA), has discovered genetic associations with blood pressure that could guide future treatments for patients with hypertension.

Last month, Leslie Cuevas, MD, announced the opening of her rheumatology practice, Cuevas Center for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, in Franklin next to Williamson Medical Center. The new self-pay practice focuses on autoimmune disorders, as well as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Awards, Honors, Achievements

Last month, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) unveiled plans to open a new facility in Hendersonville this fall. The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility, which is slated to open in September, was held on Jan. 17 at the site on Saundersville Road.

TriStar Health is adding 75 NICVIEW web-streaming cameras to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at five of its Nashville-area hospitals, which include TriStar Centennial, TriStar StoneCrest, TriStar Summit, TriStar Hendersonville and TriStar Horizon medical centers.

Dip in physician burnout rate suggests improvements, but still a long way to go

A new Tennessee law that went into effect on Jan. 1 requires more transparency and limits changes to reimbursement rates in contracts between health insurance companies and healthcare providers during a contract term.

As 2018 was winding down, the Nashville Health Care Council promoted one and announced two new additions to the team.

Rebecca Parker, MD, FACEP, has been tapped to serve as chief medical affairs officer for Envision Physicians Services. In this role, she will focus on health policy, advocacy, government affairs, leadership development, education and public relations.

In other news from Envision Healthcare, the Nashville-based company announced appointments of a new chief financial officer and chief information officer.

Awards, Honors, Achievements

Regionally accredited higher education institution continues to expand health care programs

Saint Thomas Medical Partners recently received a Health Disparities Grant award of $8,420 from the State of Tennessee Minority Health Division.

Ardent Health Services filed initial public offering papers last month in advance of taking the company public. The hospital company, led by CEO David Vandewater, was originally founded as Behavioral Healthcare Corporation in 1993 but had sold off its behavioral hospitals by 2005 as the focus turned solely to acute care.

TriStar Horizon Medical Center recently welcomed Scott Kelsey, MD, to TriStar Medical Group Natchez Medical Associates. Kelsey has over 20 years of practice experience as a board certified general surgeon.