The College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is making significant strides in fostering the next generation of health care professionals by partnering with two other Memphis institutions to lower hurdles in accessing medical education.
Through the partnerships, Rhodes College and University of Memphis students are guaranteed interviews at the College of Medicine if they meet specific benchmarks and apply to the college through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The agreement provides aspiring medical students with a clear path to fulfilling their dreams of becoming physicians.
“Rhodes has long been a top producer of matriculating students to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine each year, and this formalized partnership stands as a guarantee that this legacy will endure,” said Jennifer Collins, JD, president of Rhodes College. “Retaining quality Rhodes alumni benefits both institutions and the city of Memphis, with a potential ripple effect for the city’s growth, as many students choose to remain in Memphis for residency and practice. Rhodes students have acceptance rates into medical school that are almost double the national average. This partnership will further add to our tradition of outstanding success in medical school acceptances.”
The partnership with the University of Memphis also ensures local students have multiple pathways to access medical education opportunities and brings together two Memphis institutions with a shared commitment to advancing health care.
“Providing our qualified, hard-working students a guaranteed interview with the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine further strengthens the important relationship between the two flagship public research universities in Tennessee,” said University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave, PhD. “As a result, this partnership presents a terrific opportunity not only for our students but also our state as we work together to strengthen our communities and prepare the next generation of workforce leaders.”
“Making medical education more accessible not only addresses workforce shortages but also ensures a more representative and well-equipped health care system to meet the needs of our communities.”
Interim Executive Dean Nicholas Verne, MD
The College of Medicine, in line with UT Health Science Center’s strategic plan to improve the health of all Tennesseans, recognizes the importance of having a diverse pool of future physicians and is taking proactive measures to support local undergraduate students who aspire to become doctors. These recent partnerships, spearheaded by Dustin Fulton, EdD, assistant dean for Admissions in the College of Medicine, are part of a broader mission to improve access to medical education by introducing new pathways.
“Creating innovative partnerships with local institutions like Rhodes College and the University of Memphis to enhance access to medical education is a crucial step,” said G. Nicholas Verne, MD, interim executive dean and vice chancellor of Clinical Affairs for the College of Medicine. “These collaborations reinforce our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in health care. Making medical education more accessible not only addresses workforce shortages but also ensures a more representative and well-equipped health care system to meet the needs of our communities.”
Through these partnerships, the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine is reinforcing its commitment to excellence in medical education and its dedication to serving the health care needs of the Memphis community and the state of Tennessee at all educational levels.