Meharry Medical College, Nashville

Meharry Medical College, a graduate and professional institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, has a core mission to educate healthcare professionals and scientists. Its origins trace back to 1876 when it was founded as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, marking a significant milestone as the first medical school in the Southern United States specifically catering to African Americans. In 1915, it received a separate charter, solidifying its status. Presently, it stands as the largest private historically black institution in the United States with an exclusive focus on educating healthcare professionals and scientists.

Meharry Medical College comprises various schools, including a medical school, dental school, graduate school, and an allied health school. It holds the distinction of being the second-largest educator of African-American medical doctors and dentists in the United States. Additionally, it takes pride in being the leading institution for producing African Americans holding Master's degrees in Public Health and Ph.D.s in biomedical science.

One notable publication associated with Meharry Medical College is the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. The college derives its name from Samuel Meharry, a young Scots-Irish immigrant salt trader. Samuel Meharry's connection to the college's history stems from an incident in which his wagon got stuck in the rugged terrain of Tennessee, and he received assistance from an anonymous family of freedmen. This family, former slaves, offered him food, shelter overnight, and aided in recovering his wagon. In 1875, Samuel Meharry and his four brothers collectively donated $15,000 to support the establishment of a medical department at Central Tennessee College.