Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune) — This week, Meharry Medical College will welcome leaders from Sefako Makgatho University of South Africa (SMU South Africa) in an effort to build academic and research partnerships between the two institutions. It marks the first time that SMU South Africa leadership will visit the United States.
The two historically black medical institutions have similar missions: to improve health care within the communities they serve and to provide transformative education to their students.
The distinguished guests from SMU South Africa will be introduced to the Meharry campus and engage in discussions with Meharry faculty and staff during a special program this Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Meharry’s Stanley S. Kresge Learning Resources Center (LRC) located at 2001 Albion Street, Nashville, Tenn. 37208.
“We welcome SMU South Africa to our campus and our country,” said Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, Meharry president and CEO. “This historic visit coincides with the opening of our new School of Global Health, highlighting our commitment to addressing global health challenges and fostering international collaborations. We look forward to forging new and innovative partnerships with SMU South Africa.”
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The delegation will be on campus for a full day of activities led by Dr. Anil Shanker, senior vicepresident of research and innovation at Meharry and Dr. Michael Caldwell, associate vice president of vaccine research and education and professor of public health practice, coordinator of the visit.
“This visit will bring exciting opportunities to two outstanding institutions to develop scientific and research relationships,” Dr. Shanker said. “We look to the impact this collaboration will have on advancing health care and research efforts.”
The day will culminate with a reception at 4 p.m. in Meharry’s Stanley S. Kresge Learning Resources Center. The Nashville community is invited to attend and can RSVP using this link: bit.ly/4dEKTpq
Nuha Bagus, a second-year medical student at Meharry Medical College from South Africa interested in becoming a pediatric oncologist, shared her personal connection to the visit. “For me, the visit of our South African colleagues is not just an institutional event, but a personal one,” said Bagus. “It represents the convergence of my own South African roots with my commitment to health care in the United States.”
