Ear Community & Vanderbilt microtia & atresia collaborative event. Pictured from left to right (front row): Hannah McManus, Emily Rebula, Dr. Filipina Schnabel, Melissa Tumblin, D. Jason Park, Dr. Shi Yang. (back row): Scott Fiscus, Dr. Brandy Stephens, Dr. Marc Bennett & Dr. Scott Stephan.
The Ear Community Organization & Vanderbilt University Medical Center have been hosting a collaborative microtia and atresia event together for nearly a decade now. “This event is incredibly special to the Ear Community Organization,” says Founder, Melissa Tumblin. Ten years ago, Dr. Ron Eavey (past Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery & Director of the Bill Wilkerson Center) recruited Melissa to help launch the first all options microtia and atresia clinic in Nashville after seeing the events hosted and the difference being made through Ear Community. “Vanderbilt has always had a special place in my heart for our community and we just love bringing everyone together in Nashville,” Melissa says. “The next conference and picnic is planned for the summer of 2027!”
Following this year’s conference in July, Melissa shared about receiving many messages from families saying that “their hearts were full after our special day! This event is like a family reunion! Tears of joy & families feeling relieved that they are no longer alone w/microtia & atresia is priceless to see! Families have the opportunity to hear straight from the doctors from the clinic as they help provide the answers they are looking for, including the chance to learn about all of their options for microtia and atresia during educational presentations. Melissa shared “how special it is to see the children & adults w/microtia & atresia at our event connect & share experiences together! This is such a special time, helping so many of our community members find more confidence & hear about other’s perspectives. My daughter, Ally, is also enjoying our events in different ways now that she is older & seems to be more open about sharing about her experience too as a teen w/microtia and atresia.”
Melissa and Ally Tumblin with picnic host, John Melson.
Each year, Melissa selects a picnic host for the conference and picnic with Vanderbilt. This year, John Melson, was our picnic host, who is also a Vanderbilt patient. We are grateful for John sharing his journey with all of us, living with microtia and atresia! In 2018, John decided to have a Medpor ear reconstructed by Dr. Scott Stephan when he was 26 years old. Shared stories like John’s matter and are important for others to hear the different decisions that others make. We are thankful for John sharing with us that it’s okay to make decisions as you go along your journey w/microtia! This really helps others to hear different people’s perspectives and to realize that there is time to make these decisions and when you are ready. John also shared how he and his parents almost made the decision to have surgery when he was a child, but they did not go through with it. He is happy he waited he said! John also was a panel member on the parent/patient panel for Vanderbilt during the conference. John’s beautiful wife, Sarah and children Jesse and Blake joined, including his parents Liz and Jared, all traveling from Pennsylvania to be with us on our special day.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center microtia and atresia clinic.
The Vanderbilt Microtia and Atresia Clinic would not be the top notch medical resource it is without the incredible group of medical professionals that make up this home for our community members. I am grateful for all of you! Thank you to Drs. Scott Stephen (Chief of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery), Dr. Brandy Stephens (Pediatric Audiologist), Dr. Marc Bennett (Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery & Director of Quality and Safety), Dr. Shi Yang (Otolaryngologist & Assistant Professor, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery), Dr. Jason Park (Assistant Professor in Pediatric Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery), Dr. Filipina Schnabel (Pediatric Laryngologist, Nurse Practitioner & O-HNS Surgeon) & Scott Fiscus (Anaplastologist) & Hannah McManus (Facial Plastics Patient Care Manager) for an educational & wonderful day bringing our community together w/Ear Community!
Thank you to Ear Community’s Platinum Sponsors for helping make our special day possible & for educating everyone on the latest bone conduction hearing device systems! Thank you for your continued support to our organization & to our community!
Platinum Sponsors
Cochlear Americas
MED-EL
Oticon Medical
Thank you to James Hermsen for being a part of our Ear Community events and for helping our microtia kids be able to wear glasses that stay up when you are missing an ear or 2 & for being able to give away glasses to every child at our event through Pax’s Eyewear Fund, made possible by the Gross Family Foundation for Ear Community! Our entertainment was top notch & wow did the kids LOVE Sunday the bunny! 🐰 Thank you to Jim N’ Nicks for another delicious BBQ for everyone!
Thank you to beautiful Noelle McFarland for singing for us! Thank you also to Ear Community Board Members Alex Lang, Noelle McFarland & Chris Bowman for being w/us in Nashville!
Thank you again for such a wonderful day for so many in our community! It’s always heart warming to see so many new & familiar faces!
Here are some wonderful memories from our Vanderbilt & Ear Community microtia & atresia conference & picnic that took place on July 26th, 2025.
Melissa Tumblin
Ear Community
About Melissa Tumblin
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