Meharry Medical College received a generous $3.1 million gift from the estate of Meharrian, philanthropist and founder of the “Real Men Cook” Foundation, Frederick Douglass Parrott Jr., M.D. ’58.
The gift comes to Meharry as part of Dr. Parrott’s commitment to supporting the College’s mission and vision. As a founding member of Meharry’s “Guardians of Our Legacy” donor society—alumni who have given at least $100,000 dollars to Meharry in their lifetime—Dr. Parrott dedicated himself to improving health care, particularly among minorities and the underserved.
Dr. Parrott is distinguished as one of Meharry’s most generous alumni donors. He established an endowed scholarship, The Fred D. Parrott Jr., M.D. Endowed Academic Scholarship Fund in the School of Medicine that, to date, has benefited more than 100 students.
Additionally, the “Real Men Cook” Foundation also raised more than $3 million for the nation’s four historically Black medical schools, including Meharry. In 1991, Dr. Parrott was awarded Meharry’s Salt Wagon Award, the most prestigious, non-academic honor the College offers to men and women of extraordinary achievement. He also received the Alumnus of the Year Award from the Meharry National Alumni Association, and two Honorary Degrees from Meharry in recognition of his abiding and generous commitment to the College.
