Nashville, TN–Meharry Medical College, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with Fayetteville State University (FSU), the oldest public historically Black college and university (HBCU) in North Carolina, that will address the need for providing quality medical care and skilled health care professionals for southeastern North Carolina. The virtual signing event was held this morning on both campuses.
“We applaud Fayetteville State University for taking this important step in educating and training a new generation of physicians and dentists for the communities they serve,” said Meharry President and CEO James E.K. Hildreth Sr., Ph.D., M.D. “Working with FSU to prepare health care providers who will return to serve those in rural southeastern North Carolina is enormously important to the state, the region and the nation.” The Memorandum of Understanding between Meharry and FSU is only the start of improving the quality of life for individuals and families living in this part of North Carolina, Hildreth said.
The partnership between Meharry and FSU will address the medical needs for community members by:
• Establishing and implementing a 3-plus-3-plus-3 program (three years for pre-med from FSU, three years of medical school at Meharry and three years residency in Cumberland County)
• Establishing and implementing a pre-dental track for students interested in dentistry
• Establishing and implementing a rural training track residency program in southeast North Carolina
• Implementing an Innovation and Partnership Core Unit within the Office of the Provost
• Establishing and implementing a pre-dental track for students interested in dentistry
• Establishing and implementing a rural training track residency program in southeast North Carolina
• Implementing an Innovation and Partnership Core Unit within the Office of the Provost
“We are so pleased to be entering into this partnership with Meharry Medical College,” said FSU Interim Chancellor Dr. Peggy Valentine. “Working with an institution of Meharry’s caliber to produce highly qualified medical professionals will be mutually beneficial not only to FSU, but also to the people of Cumberland County. We know that this part of the state needs more physicians and dentists of color to serve residents who are disproportionately affected by health disparities. FSU is glad to be doing its part in addressing this critical need.”
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina System and the second-oldest institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU is a historically Black university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,700 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation.
