New headquarters located in Medical District on campus of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church; focus is on medical education, workforce development, community well-being
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 9, 2025)— Nashville-based Meharry Medical College, the nation’s largest private, independent historically Black academic health sciences center, today announced the opening of its Office of Memphis Programs, which will expand the school’s impact across the state of Tennessee and nationally as it supports training the next generation of doctors to serve those in urban and rural communities historically denied access to quality care.
Specifically, the newly established office will support current and future students during their clinical training at area health care institutions in the Medical District; and introduce vital STEAM programming to local area K-12 students to cultivate the health care workforce pipeline in Memphis, Shelby County and beyond. Meharry’s historic announcement comes on the heels of breaking news in April that Meharry acquired four medical clinics in Memphis, previously owned by Sanitas USA, Inc. and now part of the Meharry Health Network.
“Meharry’s presence in Memphis is driven by our mission, which calls us to go to communities with both profound need and significant potential,” said James E.K. Hildreth Sr., Ph.D., M.D., CEO and president of Meharry. “Driven by our whole-person approach to care, our physicians, dentists and researchers are equipped to care for Memphians battling the many chronic diseases that disproportionately impact communities of color. We look forward to working with The BLVD, local government officials and community organizations to create a healthier Memphis for all.”
The Office will be headquartered on the 23-acre campus of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (The BLVD), which recently announced a $310 million transformative mixed-use development plan focused on healthy living within the Memphis Medical District. Today’s
announcement confirms Meharry as The BLVD’s first mission-driven partner, as well as the medical school’s agreement with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare to provide hands-on training for its medical students in clinical care and research.
“I thank the Memphis community for the warm welcome that has been extended to Meharry and its students as we’ve gotten settled in the city,” said Stephanie Sweet, M.D., associate vice president, Meharry’s Office of Memphis Programs. “As a native Memphian, I am excited to use my deep connections within the local community to build new partnerships and ensure Meharry’s presence in Memphis is rooted in hope and healing.”
Watch a recap of the event and view our photo gallery below.
About Meharry Medical College:
Meharry Medical College is a historically Black academic health sciences center founded in 1876 that trains qualified physicians, scientists and dentists from every demographic to heal underserved communities. Meharry educates its students in the school’s nearly 150-year heritage of healing the whole person and advancing public health. True to its heritage, it is a United Methodist Church-related institution. Diverse Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences. Visit www.mmc.edu to learn more.
Written by: Jolene Butts Freeman, Associate Vice President Communications and Marketing