Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt Medical Center

On your left you will see the colorful lights of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The hospital opened in 2004 and serves as a testament to the work and generosity of Monroe and Ann Scott Carell. Their legacy of compassion lives on through their daughters Kathryn Carell Brown, Julie Carell Stadler, Edie Carell Johnson, and their families who played an integral part to expand the hospital in a four-story addition, completed in 2020.

Monroe Carell’s inspiration came from his experiences as a child who during an illness had to make many trips to the hospital. Carell said in an interview in 2008: “While I received wonderful treatment, I always knew that I was one child amongst many adults.” So, he set out to create a hospital just for children, and as a Vanderbilt alumnus, he partnered with his alma mater to make it happen.

This world-class facility is more than just a building. According to hospital administrators: “Exceptional medical teams and [community] support enables us to provide every child who comes to us with the hope of improved health. Children's Hospital is a nonprofit facility. We care for children regardless of their families’ ability to pay.” It is also a research hospital in search of finding to ways to cure and prevent childhood diseases including premature birth and heart disease.“Our parents truly loved this hospital and felt so passionate about the children and families served here,” said his daughter Kathryn Carell Brown.

After passing the Children’s Hospital you will see the Vanderbilt Medical Center ahead on your left. In November 2014, Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust directed the institution’s senior leadership to reconfigure VUMC as a non-profit academic medical center that is financially distinct from Vanderbilt University. However, the two organizations will remain tightly woven together by mission and the respected Vanderbilt name.

Vanderbilt Medical Center employs nearly 20,000 people. The larger Vanderbilt Medical Center structure serves over 2 million patients. A 2015 economic impact report found the University and Medical Center contribute more than $8.9 billion each year in direct and indirect economic activity to Nashville and Tennessee. Edith Carell Johnson, Chair of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Board of Directors, stated in a 2016 interview: “Vanderbilt’s true impact is felt far beyond any financial calculation. Many of our patients receive highly specialized services that are not available anywhere else in the region.” 

Vanderbilt has also played a major role in the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a May 14, 2020 article in the Vanderbilt News, “From the front lines of patient care to collaborating with scientists across the globe searching for treatments and vaccines, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University researchers have been working for months to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.” As former Nashville mayor Karl Dean adds, “It is hard to think of a great city without a great research university and hospital.” In Nashville, Vanderbilt represents both.

Stay straight past Children’s Way. After you’ve passed the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital on your left, cross over to the other side of 21st Avenue at the crosswalk located at the traffic light at Pierce Avenue. You will cross the street just before you reach the Vanderbilt University Pedestrian Bridge. Look for the Roger Williams University historical marker; this is your next stop.