Latest news with #MeharryMedicalCollege
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA pumps millions into TN's economy. Trump's cuts pose an existential threat
The passing of the U.S. FY 2026 budget, presented by President Donald Trump on May 2, 2025, will put an end to all STEM programs supported by NASA. This will cause a historic 39% reduction to space science programs and a 53% reduction to earth science programs. And it will dramatically impact Tennessee. NASA STEM programs are currently in use at the Adventure Science Center, where camps and exhibits incorporate STEM concepts. A full-size model of the Mars Curiosity Rover, on loan from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is on display. Meharry Medical College and Fisk University, with NASA support, offer a program that introduces students to computer science, robotics and engineering concepts. Opinion: Students' math proficiency is falling. Here are some solutions to the problem. The Tennessee Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) collaborates with NASA on the Aerospace Academy. All of these programs and initiatives may end. Vanderbilt University's Earth observation satellite mission, which includes ice-cloud radiometry and atmospheric sensing (TROPICS), faces termination. The school's leadership in developing radiation-hardened integrated circuits for outer planetary missions, pioneering advanced atmospheric remote sensing, and advancing gravitational astrophysics will be curtailed with the loss of $8 million in NASA grants. The University of Tennessee also contributes significantly to planetary geology, astrobiology and the understanding of Mars's early crust. UT will lose NASA grants totaling $5 million. At the K-12 level, the Tennessee Space Grant Consortium supports STEM education and research aligning with NASA priorities. Jack Anderson Elementary in Hendersonville is a Tennessee STEM/STEAM Designated School with a STEM lab and outdoor classroom. Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge partnered with NASA to design, 3-D print, and launch a CubeSat named Ram-Sat into space, making them the first middle school in the country to achieve this. Opinion: School vouchers are not the answer. Here's how to make education better in TN. And both Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University have a partnership with NASA to promote STEM education in high schools. These crippling NASA budget cuts would devastate the scientific talent pipeline managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities through the NASA Postdoctoral Program that cultivates the next generation of scientific leaders. NASA distributes approximately 75% of its annual budget to private industry in the form of government contracts. These contracts can range from janitorial services to rocket design. Jacobs Technology in Tullahoma is the fifth largest recipient of NASA's contracts. SpaceX, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed-Martin are the only corporations that receive more than this Tennessee company. While investing $24.3 million in Tennessee, NASA helped generate $68 million through job creation. These jobs led to increased revenue for our state and local governments by stimulating economic activity and generating greater sales tax revenue. These contracts stimulate innovation, create new industries, and spin-off technologies that can be commercialized and adapted by businesses. For example, NASA software can aid in the interpretation of medical imaging and in the field of materials science. NASA has made profound educational, scientific and fiscal impacts in our state, with contributions stimulating improvements across industries, from computer chips to structural steel. But a 47% budget cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate is an extinction-level event. Is this what we want for our children and their generations to come? Suzanne W. Zellem is a retired RN, MSN and former educator living in Hendersonville. She is the mother of two and grandmother to three. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Under Trump, STEM education may be going extinct | Opinion
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meharry Medical College to expand into Memphis, partners with Mississippi Boulevard church
Meharry Medical College is set to expand into Memphis with a new medical training facility. The historically Black, Nashville-based medical school announced the formation of its 'Office of Memphis Programs' at a ribbon-cutting on June 9. The new program will be housed on the planned 23-acre mixed-use campus of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in the Medical District and will support students during clinical training. 'I see this as a wonderful opportunity to turn the tide on and bring about better health care outcomes in the city of Memphis,' said Rev. Jason Turner of Mississippi Boulevard church. The expansion is part of Meharry's long-term goal of building a second campus in Memphis, said CEO and president James Hildreth. The college often has to send students to hospitals out of state because major hospitals in Nashville have commitments to training students from other schools. 'One of the things that the branch campus in Memphis will do for us is to allow us to have two major training sites and not have to send our students to so many places,' he said. The new facility will feature classrooms, faculty offices and a student lounge. The quality of education will be the same as at the main campus in Nashville, Hildreth said, but it will lay the foundation for a branch campus and keep medical students in Tennessee. Memphis has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the country and struggles with obesity and diabetes, Hildreth said. He said Meharry plans to focus on the burden of chronic diseases in the city. 'Memphis is a place where we can have a huge impact,' Hildreth said. In April, Meharry acquired four medical clinics in Memphis. A Meharry alumnus, Dr. Joseph Walker, founded Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in 1921. He was its first pastor. 'It's serendipitous that their Office of Memphis Programs would be housed in the church that he founded 104 years ago,' Turner said. Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at and followed on X @jca2902. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Meharry Medical College part of Mississippi Boulevard Memphis expansion
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redevelopment project underway at Memphis church
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held later this morning to unveil part of the plans for a redevelopment project at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Last week, the church announced a $310 million redevelopment plan. Pastor J. Lawrence Turner says a portion of the project will include medical offices, fitness centers, and other types of health-focused facilities. 'We came up with a mixed-use development that would be comprised of residential, retail, restaurants, but also, a place that would have healthcare and wellness purposes and educational purposes,' Pastor Turner said. Medical HBCU partners with church for $310M redevelopment Later today, in partnership with Meharry Medical College, Meharry's president and ceo, James Hildreth, will explain how the medical HBCU plans to improve health outcomes and access for Memphians. Meharry Medical College says its partnership with the church will further its mission to serve underserved communities. They're hoping that this new project brings unity and community to the city of Memphis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Medical HBCU partners with church for $310M redevelopment
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Meharry Medical College is partnering with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church for its $310 million redevelopment plan. Healthcare is not easily accessible for every person who lives in Memphis, especially for individuals who live in rural or low-income communities. However, a new partnership with Meharry Medical College and Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church could turn things around. It was announced just days after Pastor J. Lawrence Turner unveiled a $310M redevelopment plan for the church's Midtown campus. Church announces $310 million redevelopment plan for Midtown campus Turner tells WREG that a portion of the project will include medical offices, fitness centers and other types of health-focused facilities. 'We came up with a mixed-use development that would be comprised of residential, retail, restaurants, but also, a place that would have healthcare and wellness purposes and educational purposes,' Turner said. Meharry Medical College says its partnership with the church will further its mission to serve undeserved communities. On Monday, during a press conference at the church, Meharry's President and CEO, James Hildreth, will explain how the medical HBCU plans to improve health outcomes and access for Memphians. As organizers continue the pre-development stages, they're hoping that this new project brings unity and community to the city of Memphis. 'And so, that's been at the heart of what we're hoping to do, to bring people together and create vibrance and life right in the core of Memphis,' Turner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor hoping for ‘best possible future' after Nashville General Hospital CEO resigns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — 'Fraud, wasteful spending, and policy violations' are words being used in connection with an audit of Nashville General Hospital. Almost immediately after the report was published, the longtime CEO of the hospital resigned. Now, the question remains: what's in store for the future? In the 21-page report, details of what's been happening behind hospital doors were revealed, bringing to light allegations of fraud, wasteful spending, and policy violations, all happening at the executive level. 'Thank you for all you've done, and I appreciate you. I wish you the best in the future, and for me, this is still another phase of my career,' Dr. Joseph Webb said in a video on his Facebook page, announcing his resignation and reflecting on his years in leadership. PREVIOUS: Nashville General Hospital's CEO resigns Shortly after the internal audit into Nashville General Hospital, Webb shared he was leaving. The decision left many questions swirling about what is next for the hospital. 'How do we create the best possible future for Nashville General Hospital?' Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell asked as he addressed the situation to the media during a press conference on Friday, Feb. 28. The audit detailed several allegations, including how the hospital overpaid its valet service company by more than $200,000. In another section, the audit found a doctor who did not work for the hospital or contracted with the hospital was allowed to set up an office, use staff and supplies, and bill patients privately, all while never paying anything to the hospital itself. | READ MORE | 'From the day I took office, I knew a better Nashville General Hospital was possible, and I remain committed to forging a path to create one. We'll be inviting a number of key stakeholders into a process that's already well-modeled to walk that path together,' said O'Connell. As the mayor remains hopeful, he also addressed the future of Meharry Medical College, one of only a handful of historically Black medical schools in the U.S. Nashville General Hospital serves as the teaching hospital for Meharry students. It's an active partnership that has been in place for nearly 30 years. 'After taking office, we learned more about the stark consequences of the lack of a professional services agreement between Nashville General Hospital and Meharry Medical College, and a key step toward that brighter future includes the execution of a successful PSA with Meharry as part of a renewed and restored partnership,' O'Connell said. O'Connell also discussed plans for the future to find out who will fill the CEO position. Right now, it's unclear how soon Nashville General Hospital will find a replacement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
