Nicholas Joy, a student research assistant in Pediatric Cardiology who volunteers in the Vanderbilt University Hospital Emergency Department, was announced on May 8 as the winner of the Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award.
The award is one of the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, an annual celebration of volunteerism in Middle Tennessee. The Strobel Awards were created to honor the memory of Mary Catherine Strobel, a Nashville volunteer known for her compassion and generosity. They are presented by the United Way of Nashville and Hands On Nashville.
The Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award recognizes individuals or groups who have made a lasting impact on the community through their volunteerism. This award is named in honor of Mary Catherine Strobel’s son Charles who dedicated his life to service.
“We are immensely proud of Nicholas and the recognition he is receiving for his service to VUMC,” said Rebecca L. Griffeth, associate program manager for Volunteer Services. “Charles Strobel left a legacy of service in Nashville, and we are delighted that Nicholas is continuing in his own legacy of service to the Nashville community.”
According to the award nomination, Joy has “dedicated over 275 hours to ensuring patients and families receive dignity, comfort and care during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From offering warm blankets to providing a reassuring presence, Nicholas understands that small gestures carry profound impact.”
Joy was one of six winners in various categories announced as part of this year’s awards.
“I am honored to be named the recipient of the 2025 Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award and to represent the incredible work and dedication of volunteers across VUMC,” he said.
“As I shared in my interview for the award, I believe that everyone has a unique skill, trait or interest that can be used for the betterment of others. I hope that winning this award will inspire others to engage in volunteering, whether at VUMC or in the greater Nashville community.”
Joy graduated with a double major from Vanderbilt University this month, earning a Bachelor of Science in Medicine, Health and Society and Child Development. He will continue his research with Jonathan Soslow, MD, Jaclyn Tamaroff, MD, MSCI, and Sudeep Sunthankar, MD, MSCI, while applying to medical school.
Joy’s future goal is to become a pediatric physician, possibly in pediatric cardiology or pediatric hematology-oncology.
