Freshmen of MTSU Abdurahman

Medical school students, ‘Joy’ to the community

Here’s the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University.

First 4 MTSU Students Reach Med School Through Meharry Partnership

Rural Tennessees are closer to more qualified physicians serving their areas as Middle Tennessee State University’s first four undergraduate students progressed successfully through the special partnership with Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in Nashville.

“We got to medical school,” said Maria Hite de La Vergne, of the ongoing journey for her, Claire Ritter from Nashville, Pierce Creighton from Lascassas and Kirolos Michael from Brentwood. They are five months past completing their first three years of study in the prescribed undergraduate pre-medical study program and four years of medical school.

Freshmen of MTSU Abdurahman

It’s all part of the Medical School Early Acceptance Program, or MSEAP, a collaboration between MTSU’s College of Basic and Applied Sciences and Meharry. The goal of the program is to increase the number of primary care physicians serving medically underserved populations as well as reduce health care disparities in rural Tennessee.

“These students will be part of the solution to an ongoing health care dilemma in Tennessee, caring for those whose health care options may be scarce or inadequate,” said Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, President and Chief from the leadership of Meharry Medical College.

Maria Hite, left, of La Vergne, Tenn., Claire Ritter of Nashville, Tenn., Pierce Creighton of Lascassas, Tenn., and Kirolos Michael, left, of Brentwood, Tenn., are Middle Tennessee State University's first band to emerge and head to medical school at Meharry Medical College.  Current Tennessee high school seniors must apply by Dec. 1 to attempt to qualify to be part of the fall 2023 freshman class of the medical school early acceptance program with Meharry.  The goal of the program is to increase the number of primary care physicians serving medically underserved populations as well as reduce health care disparities in rural Tennessee.  (photo sent)

“The opportunities this MTSU-Meharry partnership creates for both this cohort of healthcare students and eventually those in remote and underserved areas of the state will benefit the people of Tennessee who otherwise may not have -not having access to health care,” he added. “We are thrilled with the first cohort of MTSU students and look forward to the continuation of this partnership.”

In addition to Hite, Ritter, Creighton and Michael, there are four students in their third year of the program at MTSU, eight in their second year, and four in their freshman year – a total of 20 in total. The program was announced in 2018. Hite, Ritter, Creighton, and Michael were in the first freshman class.

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