The weekly Fox and Hedgehog conference challenges the medical residents to solve a difficult clinical case. The conference builds on Vanderbilt's tradition of patient-based learning and goes on to incorporate the very latest in the pathophysiology and genetics of illness to teach the newest advances in therapy.

In a 60-minute whirlwind of presentations and discussion, each of the four chief residents in Medicine presents a case study recently seen at the Vanderbilt Hospital, clinic, or VA, followed by Q&A with a faculty member who specializes in a key aspect of the patient's illness. Click here for a sample Fox and Hedgehog case.

Current cases are posted on the discussion forum. Go to the forum category titled "Fox and Hedgehog", click on a title to view that presentation, or use the forum search function to look for cases by topic.

"The Hedgehog and the Fox" (1953) is an essay written by philosopher Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997), which distinguishes between those people who like foxes are fascinated by the infinite variety of things and those like hedgehogs who relate everything to a single, coherent vision. The analogy for generalists and specialists easily follows.