For over six decades, Henry Moses, PhD, has been a cornerstone at Meharry Medical College, shaping the institution through his unwavering dedication and passion for educating future health care professionals.
Moses’ career is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship and a commitment to a mission that transcends personal ambition. In this episode, Moses shares his incredible journey with James E.K. Hildreth, PhD, MD, providing insight into what it means to serve an institution and its students with heart and purpose.
“I have never seen a trunk load of money behind a hearse,” he says. “So what are you going to do with it? Pass it on. If you have it, pass it on. Make giving your legacy.”
Born into a family of six, Moses tragically lost his mother shortly after his birth. One of his older brothers, Andrew, took a special interest in fostering his intellectual curiosity. This nurturing environment laid the groundwork for his lifelong love of science and his path to becoming a pioneer in biochemistry.
“One summer, my brother sold some seeds,” Moses recalls. “He used some of the money he made to buy me a microscope. It was just a little thing, but I think that stimulated my interest in the sciences.”
His curiosity eventually led him to pursue chemistry at Livingstone College and then to graduate studies at Purdue University, where he would take the next step on his extraordinary journey.
As one of the few Black students pursuing a PhD in biochemistry at Purdue University in the 1960s, Moses encountered numerous challenges, including instances of racial prejudices of the time. “I cannot say that all of them were nice and kind because some of them were mean and hateful,” Moses admits. But it was the kindness of his mentor, Herbert Parker, and support of his colleagues that provided a sense of community that would continue to shape his career.
Moses was recruited to Meharry by fellow alumni Joseph Labat, MD, who recognized his potential to transform the institution’s biochemistry department.
From the moment he arrived at Meharry in 1964, Moses took on roles that would allow him to shape the institution’s future. His leadership in admissions and his work in Meharry’s biochemistry department had a profound impact on the institution’s reputation and its mission of caring for marginalized communities.
“I got involved in all kinds of things here. One of the first newsletters, we called it the Meharry Week,” he recalls. “I used to hand deliver it, but it was good for me to do that because I learned a lot about all of the areas at the institution.”
Despite facing periods of public doubt about its effectiveness—often due to the stigma associated with historically Black institutions—Meharry has thrived under the leadership and care of people like Moses.
“There were people who had attitudes about Meharry. It must be inferior because it’s black. We have to accept that as a historic fact,” he began. “Obviously it has been quite successful because most of the people who come into the hospital leave the hospital, and they don’t leave in an ambulance.”
Moses’ commitment didn’t stop at administration. He was also a mentor to countless students, helping them not only academically but financially and emotionally. A scholarship was created in his name.
Concurrently, he began teaching biochemistry in 1966 at Fisk University, where he serves as distinguished professor of biochemistry and biology. “It turns out that Fisk University wanted to have a course in biochemistry and nobody would teach it,” he explains. “I said yes.”
Moses is proud of the work he’s done with Fisk, which like Meharry, he says has always been at the forefront for education for people of color. His work has shaped not only the institutions he’s taught at, but also the countless students and healthcare professionals who have walked the halls.
All Moses asks for in return is to give back.
“The institution has to survive because who knows what’s going to happen in this country five, 10 or 15 years from now?” he says. “But one thing we can be certain of is that if we support institutions like Meharry, we’ll be okay.”
Moses encourages alumni to contribute however they can to ensure future generations benefit. “Nobody can support the institution as you can. Nobody. Other people have other institutions. You have this one. This is ours to support.”
