Doctors Vladimir Berthaud, left, and Rajbir Singh stand ready for volunteers in two clinical trials for vaccines designed to stimulate patients’ immune system so it resists infection by COVID-19. Photo by Lucius Patenaude, Meharry Medical College By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — Meharry Medical College will soon conduct clinical trials for two COVID-19 vaccines before those Sanofi and Novavax corporate products may be used by the general public. Clinical trials for three other vaccines are set for volunteer patients in Nashville. They’re at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Clinical Research Associates on Church Street at 15th Ave., North. Dr. Vladimir…
Author: Clint Confehr
Clint Confehr
Clint Confehr — an American journalist since 1972 — first wrote for The Tennessee Tribune in 1999. His news writing and photography in South Central Tennessee and the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area began in the summer of 1980. Clint's covered news in several Southern states at newspapers, radio stations and one TV station. Married since 1982, he's a grandfather and is semi-retired from daily news work.
From Staff Reports NASHVILLE, TN — A Massachusetts-based Fortune 500 company is donating diagnostic instruments, test kits and related supplies to conduct COVID-19 testing for faculty, staff and students at Meharry Medical College. Meharry is among the first historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in The Just Project by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Also participating are Howard University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Xavier University of Louisiana and Hampton University. “Collectively, HBCUs exist to further the goals and aspirations of minorities through higher education, and the mission of the country’s HBCU medical schools is to…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — A California-based technology company is giving away 1,000 online classes to help prospective civil rights lawyers study for scholastic and professional exams, TestMax announced recently. At least two applicants live in Tennessee: Kevin Clark, a security officer patrolling Nashville General Hospital at Meharry; and Ms. Diamond Cavazos, soon-to-be Mrs. Pierre St. Hillaire. Her fiancé works in Memphis. He persuaded her to move from San Diego. Cavazos and Clark have wanted to be lawyers since they were young. The oldest of five children, Cavazos’s mother frequently told her, “‘If you want to argue with somebody,…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — A campaign to increase participation in ‘Good To Go’ health protections as recommended for Music City merchants has nearly 700 businesses participating for their employees and customers. In mid June, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation (NCVC) had about 450 participants. That’s grown to 693 as of July 31. The increase is approximately 50%, or half again as many as before. From mid-July to the end of July participation grew from 650 to 693, or 6.6% after the campaign. “Good To Go” was created so merchants could keep their businesses as safe as possible…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — Emergency funds to counteract COVID-19 by the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center will last through fall. That’s according to Katina Beard, CEO of the health center with sites in Nashville, Smyrna, Clarksville and a mobile clinic. Matthew Walker, headquartered on 14th at Jefferson, has an annual budget of $12 million. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act separately provided $1.5 million to address COVID-19. “This funding was vital to us because our patient population is about 55% uninsured,” Beard said in a conference with Cooper. “It allowed us to increase our purchasing…
By Clint Confehr LEWISBURG, TN — A community organizer read several names to the city council here recently and the elected leaders admitted they didn’t recognize them as Confederate soldiers’ names carved in stone at their county courthouse. “Lest We Forget” is inscribed on the monument’s base, topped with the statue of a rebel soldier near where locals used to lynch Black folks. After describing the names, Bradford Pippen asked: If the monument is to honor them and elected leaders don’t know their names, what purpose does that monument serve? “It’s not teaching anyone,” Pippen explained while recalling his presentation.…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — During the coronavirus pandemic, religious ceremonies in closed spaces can lead to life or death situations, so Bishop Joseph Walker, III, senior pastor of the historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, feels obliged to implore faith leaders to find an equilibrium between medicine and religion. “All of our messages regarding theology ultimately end up talking about life and death,” Walker said, accepting a responsibility to address conditions affected by these facts of life. “I want people to be led by the science. I want folks to live.” Walker advocates worship in virtual space…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — An attorney experienced in state and federal courts — one who helped create a health insurance company — is campaigning to be the next state representative for a large part of Davidson County. “Being a lawyer and having to interpret and apply the laws that are passed out of the Tennessee General Assembly gives me a unique set of skills for the position,” says Terry Clayton who’s been practicing law for 33 years. Early in his career, Clayton worked as an incorporator at Access MedPlus/Tennessee Managed Care Network. The job provided insight into one…
By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — An attorney campaigning for Tennessee’s 5th District seat in Congress says she’ll use her experience and skills in Washington to advocate for people. “I am someone that advocated passionately on behalf of my clients, working as a public defender” for more than six years in Davidson County courtrooms, said Keeda Haynes. “I refused to settle for anything other than a just outcome for them,” Haynes told The Tennessee Tribune when summing up a telephone interview last week. “I will take that same passion and determination to Washington on behalf of the community here in…
From Staff Reports NASHVILLE, TN — Music City merchants are being encouraged to sign on with the “Good to Go” program to keep their businesses as safe as possible and open during the coronavirus pandemic. The free program trains employees and informs customers so businesses can stay open and keep money flowing. Nearly 700 businesses have signed on. More are sought to defend people and the economy. Employee training programs are available to participants who get a green emblem to be displayed so customers know a business takes precautions against Covid-19. To get that, businesses commit to follow Metro health…