Tennessee State University and Belmont University partner for accelerated medical school pathway program

Tennessee State University’s College of Life and Physical Sciences and Belmont University’s Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine have come together to establish the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Medical Accelerated Pathway Program that will turn the typical eight-year educational journey to becoming a physician into a seven-year experience, helping students complete their education more quickly and affordably and helping the region fill the medical provider shortage it has been experiencing.

According to an article on Tennessee State University’s website, Barbara Murrell, who is the  chair of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute at Tennessee State University is extremely excited to partner with the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University to provide an accelerated pathway for talented students to become compassionate and competent physicians. Our students will benefit greatly from this partnership, gaining invaluable resources, mentorship and hands-on experiences that will prepare them for successful careers in medicine. We look forward to building on this collaboration and creating more opportunities for future health care leaders.”

Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. was the cardiac surgeon who performed the first automatic defibrillator implantation within a human. He was also a Tennessee State University alumnus. The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute aims to prepare students to become doctors and dentists and increase the representation of traditionally underrepresented communities within the realm of healthcare.

The pathway program will see students completing their medical degree within seven years, as opposed to the typical eight. Students will first attend Tennessee State University to earn a bachelor degree in biology or chemistry. They will earn this degree in three years instead of four, and then will move on to the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University to earn their medical degree in four years. In order to qualify, TSU students must meet the qualifications for enrollment into the College of Medicine by January of their final year. If they do, they will receive conditional acceptance into the medical school program.

Dr. Karen Lewis, who serves as the associate dean for Student Affairs and Belonging for the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, said of the partnership, “This innovative pathway embodies our commitment to cultivating diverse physician leaders who embrace a whole-person approach to healing. By partnering with TSU, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for talented students from underserved communities to pursue their medical dreams while addressing critical health care needs. Our goal is to educate physicians who will return to their communities, creating a lasting impact on health care access and equity.”

The pathway program also aims to support students throughout their education journey to ensure they complete the program successfully. One facet of this support network is the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine Familiarization Program, which gives students intending to take part in the pathway program the ability to spend a week at Belmont University to become immersed in the College of Medicine with shadowing and research opportunities before they even begin their journey at TSU.

For more information about Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.

More information about Belmont University can be found at the school’s website.