Vanderbilt Department of Medicine, Health, and Society

05/08/2026

What a beautiful day for Commencement! It was great seeing our Summer 2025 grads with our Spring 2026 grads together on this joyous occasion! And, our own, Heeba Momen, was the banner bearer for Master's programs!

03/03/2026

Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, #15 for the Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball team, is using her time in the MA program to advocate for female athlete mental health. Ndjakalenga is passionate about mental health advocacy and awareness and says playing basketball has taught her how being mentally strong in sports is beneficial. After completing her master’s in Medicine, Health, and Society, Ndjakalenga plans to have a pro-basketball career and later get her clinical license and become a sports psychologist. Because of her passion for mental health advocacy for athletes, she wants to help those who may not have proper access to mental help due to limited resources or stigma. She plans on integrating her knowledge on the social determinants of health and on the interdisciplinary context of health to provide a strong impact on those she is helping. Learn more about her story here:
https://vanderbilthustler.com/2026/02/23/ndjakalenga-mwenentanda-a-gift-of-luck/

The 1-year MHS MA program is a great opportunity for elite athletes who have eligibility in their 5th year of college!

Learn more: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/medicine-health-society/ma-admissions/

Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science
Vanderbilt University Graduate School

02/12/2026

MHS Humanities in the Health Professions presents:
“Primitive, Subtle, Sensual, Obscene”: Being Human in a Techno Age
Thursday February 12th & Friday February 13th 2026
Community Room (408), Central Library
Vanderbilt University
With generous support from The Curb Center, the Department of English, and the LBGTQ+ Policy Lab

A two-day symposium that brings together experts in the medical humanities and bioethics, along with writers, artists, and musicians who work with illness as a subject, to explore how medicine is mediated, facilitated, and expressed by story-telling, and how AI may influence interactions between humans and within practices of healing.

Attendees can look forward to interdisciplinary panel discussions on the afternoon of Thursday 12th and morning of Friday 13th, followed by an afternoon of readings, performances, and creative gathering. We have an exciting and evolving line-up of panels and panelists – so please check back for further updates.

01/14/2026

Thanks to Dr. Laura Stark for presenting in our January 2026 MA Chair's Dinner. We were all eager to learn more about research ethics in modern America!

01/12/2026

Congratulations to MHS 4+1 student and Vanderbilt goalkeeper, Sara "Woj" Wojdelko! She has officially signed with the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, marking the first ever Vanderbilt goalie to be signed to the league. We are so excited for you!

𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐒

⚓️ Sara Wojdelko

01/06/2026

Interested in contemporary healthcare? Applications for the MHS MA in Medicine, Health and Society are due Feb 1, 2026!
Learn more: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/medicine-health.../ma-admissions/
Apply here: https://apply.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
Vanderbilt University Graduate School
Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science

01/01/2026

Wishing you a happy 2026!

12/03/2025

Tuesday was the last chair's dinner of Fall 2025! The MA students had a great time all semester hearing from MA alumni!
Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science
Vanderbilt University Graduate School

11/18/2025

MA ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MHS MA Alum, Emma Ornduff (’23) is currently part of East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine, class of 2027, pursuing an M.D. Prior to enrolling at Vanderbilt, Emma completed her undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University, earning a BS in Biology and minors in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Bioethics.
As an MHS MA student, Emma’s research focused on trauma-informed care for veterans. Her master’s practicum examined the unique challenges faced by those who have served in the military and developed interventions sensitive to the needs of this population.
Our 1-year master’s program is also an excellent alternative to post-baccalaureate premedical programs for those preparing for and applying to professional school.
Learn more: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/medicine-health.../ma-admissions/

10/31/2025

Congratulations to Sara "Woj" Wojkelko, MHS MA student, on being named the 2025 SEC Soccer: Goalkeeper of the Year! Way to go and Anchor Down!

⚽️ 2025 SEC Soccer: Goalkeeper of the Year

⚓️ Sara Wojdelko

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