The gift—which was given to the school as part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $100 million commitment to historically Black colleges and universities over the span of four years—is historic as it marks the largest amount of money the institution has ever received. In an effort to increase the representation of Black doctors in the medical field, the funding will go towards scholarships that will eliminate financial burdens for students pursuing medical degrees. The donation will also support the creation of resources like financial counseling.
Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, who serves as Meharry Medical College’s president, says the endowment will be transformative not only for students but for the communities they serve as well. Nearly 80 percent of students who attend the college commit to furthering their medical careers in communities where healthcare inequities persist in hopes of changing the narrative. “We could not be more honored to receive this gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies or more excited about what it means for the future of minority health care for generations to come,” Dr. Hildreth told News Channel 5. “This gift says to the nation very loudly and very clearly that Black health care matters.”
Source: NewsOne
