Meharry Medical College: An Investment in the Future of America's Health.Meharry Medical College Meharry Medical College (məhâr`ē), at Nashville, Tenn.; coeducational; organized 1876 as the medical department of Central Tennessee College, granted an independent charter 1915. : Understanding the Historical Context For the better part of a century, Meharry Medical College survived in a separate, closed society, stubbornly overcoming persistent obstacles--some artificially-imposed, others structural--that stood in its path to academic vigor and financial sufficiency. Over the years, its humble beginnings Humble Beginnings was an American pop punk band from New Jersey. While never gaining large-scale success, many of the band's members went on to mainstream success with other outfits. and its embrace of a mission focused on the disenfranchised, subjected Meharry to the harsh realities Harsh Reality are a little-known, proto-prog band born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire out of the remnants of the Freightliner Blues Band (formerly the Revolution) in the early sixties. of its historic undercapitalization Undercapitalization refers to any situation where a business owner cannot acquire the funds they need. Usually, this refers to a business that cannot afford current operational expenses due to a lack of capital, which can trigger bankruptcy. . While a segregated world had presented major obstacles, in the wake of a new, more competitive integrated society Meharry's challenges intensified, as did those of all historically black colleges and universities Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the African American community. They are often liberal arts colleges or universities. . In an open marketplace with almost no operating reserves In power systems, the operating reserve is the generating capacity available to the system operator within a short interval of time to meet demand in case a generator is lost or there is another disruption to the supply. and a small endowment, Meharry found itself a frequent petitioner for its very survival. Yet throughout these difficult years, Meharry maintained its reputation to produce highly competent health care professionals and biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. scientists, with a special focus to provide opportunities to African Americans African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. and other young men and women of color not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed. See also: Color . The College also remained steadfast in is commitment to the delivery of community-based health care services to uninsured and underinsured un·der·in·sure tr.v. un·der·in·sured, un·der·in·sur·ing, un·der·in·sures To insure under a policy that provides inadequate benefits: Be certain that you are not underinsured against catastrophic illness. individuals in spite of inadequate levels of public funding Public funding is money given from tax revenue or other governmental sources to an individual, organization, or entity. See also
New Challenges: A New Vision Today, it's a different world--and a different Meharry. First and foremost Meharry no longer accepts the role of petitioner. Moreover, the transformation of health care delivery and finance wrought by managed care at the end of the 20th century has forced the industry, including academic health science centers, to rethink their business strategies. The model for success in today's highly competitive health care marketplace is based on strategic alliances in which partners bring complementary strengths to the table, and market niches, where organizations focus resources on core competencies A core competency is something that a firm can do well and that meets the following three conditions specified by Hamel and Prahalad (1990):
Today, an academically strong, fiscally sound, well-managed, and visionary Meharry is poised for its most far-reaching advancement in years, Under the leadership of John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S D.S Drainage Structure (flood protection) .,M.B.A., the first Meharry alumnus ALUMNUS, civil law. A child which one has nursed; a foster child. Dig. 40, 2, 14. to become president of the College, Meharry has embraced a strategic philosophy based on partnership--and niche--focused strategies where excellence is the norm, sound business models are standard and sophisticated and effective management processes are essential to success. The College has clearly defined its niches and successfully elevated its national stature through the value of its three core business enterprises of education, research, and health care services to: * Provide the specialized, uniquely supportive learning environment in which students, who would otherwise not have the opportunity for a health science career, are prepared as highly competent and compassionate health care professionals and biomedical scientists; * Conduct basic, clinical and population-based research on the causes and conditions that contribute to ethnic-based health disparities
Health disparities (also called health inequalities in some countries) refer to gaps in the quality of health and health care across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. ; * Develop model research training programs for minority scientists, with special emphasis on clinical, translational, behavioral, and outcomes research; and * Provide high quality, culturally sensitive "safety net" delivery system for the uninsured and underinsured patients that focuses on evidence-based care evidence-based care, n a philosophy of treatment that relies on up-to-date, germane research as its foundation. and improved health outcomes. The results of this niche-focused, results driven effort are impressive: * Student test scores on national qualifying examinations are the highest in the College's history. * The College and its four schools are fully accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. for the maximum period afforded by their respective accrediting bodies. * $68 million has been expended ex·pend tr.v. ex·pend·ed, ex·pend·ing, ex·pends 1. To lay out; spend: expending tax revenues on government operations. See Synonyms at spend. 2. on facility improvements and long-term deferred maintenance concerns and resulted in a remarkably improved campus environment. * New leadership has been recruited to the management ranks of the College that brings nationally recognized talent to deanships, department chairs, faculty, and staff. * The array of clinical experiences for its students has expanded as Meharry has developed new partnerships with area hospitals, community health centers, and Blanchfield Army Medical Center in nearby Ft. Campbell, KY. * Through the unique partnership with the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County government, Meharry's former Hubbard Hospital has been renovated to become the new home of Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital, one of the finest facilities in the community that continues to serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. The nationally acclaimed alliance that Meharry forged with Vanderbilt University Medical Center The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a collection of several hospitals and clinics associated with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. It comprises the following units:[2]
Future Partnerships Several regional and national organizations have joined with Meharry to maximize the College's reach and effectiveness to meet the increased demand for research and health care quality advancements in communities of color. The partnerships formed will play a vital role in Meharry's effort to make a significant positive impact on the health status of the African-American community. For example, plans are underway to embark on the most comprehensive epidemiologic (The study of factors responsible for a disease.) research initiative ever undertaken in this country, in partnership with 26 community health centers across the southeastern United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , the International Epidemiology Foundation in Rockville, MD., and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. A Center for Community-based Research and Optimal Health at Meharry will also be established to provide the venue and coordination for continued epidemiologic and behavioral research projects that focus on improvements in the health practices and lifestyles of African Americans and other communities of color. Partnerships continue to show great promise as an effective way to hasten has·ten v. has·tened, has·ten·ing, has·tens v.intr. To move or act swiftly. v.tr. 1. To cause to hurry. 2. developmental time lines and expand the promise of new initiatives. Sound Management Practices As Meharry has pursued these and other strategic partnerships, it has also changed the way it is managed. The introduction of the Balanced Scorecard Balanced Scorecard A performance metric used in strategic management to identify and improve various internal functions and their resulting external outcomes. The balanced scorecard attempts to measure and provide feedback to organizations in order to assist in implementing [TM] for planning and performance evaluation Performance evaluation The assessment of a manager's results, which involves, first, determining whether the money manager added value by outperforming the established benchmark (performance measurement) and, second, determining how the money manager achieved the calculated return and the installation of mission-based management practices are examples of the positive steps taken to deliver the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness that are consistent with the College's institutional mission and vision. The Campaign for Meharry Given the formidable challenges that face academic health science centers, in general, and Meharry, in particular, the College's historic and recent achievements are nothing short of remarkable. "The completion of Meharry's transformation requires an appropriate level of capital investment," says its president, Dr. Maupin. "While the College's business model appears to be properly structured for today's environment, complete success will be possible only with a sound and growing endowment, adequate funds for new initiatives, and the timely investment in facilities, research equipment, and information technologies." Therefore, as Meharry celebrates its 125-year rich heritage, it has embarked on a $125 million capital campaign to insure its future Success. Campaign Goals Creating a Strong Foundation (endowments) $ 80 Million Upgrading Technology and Facilities $ 16 Million Investing in New Programs $ 9 Million Growing Annual Unrestricted Support $ 20 Million (Vision Fund) Total Campaign Goal $125 Million Meharry Medical College is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions to The Campaign for Meharry are tax-deductible within the limits prescribed by law. They may be forwarded to: Meharry Medical College The Campaign for Meharry Office of Institutional Advancement 1005 Dr. D. B. Todd, Jr. Blvd. Nashville, TN 37208-3599 (615) 327-6111 www.mmc.edu AN EDUCATION LEADER Meharry Medical College is the largest private, historically black institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to the education of health care professionals and biomedical scientists. The long-standing mission of the College is to provide excellence in health sciences education with a focus to develop unlimited opportunities for African Americans and other under-represented minority groups. Part of what makes Meharry so attractive to an increased pool of applicants is its reputation to provide a uniquely supportive educational environment and easy student access to state-of-the-art technologies. One of the most visible signs of student satisfaction and soaring morale at Meharry was revealed during Commencement exercises for Meharry's classes of 2000 and 2001. Notwithstanding individual education debt burdens of as much as $100,000, the graduates pledged $30,000 and $60,000, respectively, as class gifts to the College. Consistent with Meharry's mission, approximately 60 percent of all graduates in medicine and dentistry dentistry, treatment and care of the teeth and associated oral structures. Dentistry is mainly concerned with tooth decay, disease of the supporting structures, such as the gums, and faulty positioning of the teeth. have applied their training to the improvement of health among populations of the economically disadvantaged. The majority of those who benefit from the work of these graduates lack access to quality, affordable services and are concentrated in underserved urban areas and rural communities. Clearly, Meharry Medical College stands poised to become the future national leader in the provision of highly competent health care and biomedical professionals. |
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