Meharry Medical College has served the nation’s health care needs for 142 years. The school’s reunion and commencement activities will span the weekend of May 17-20, culminating in the college convening its 143rd Commencement exercise on Saturday, May 19. It is the 143rd because it held two graduation ceremonies in one academic year during World War II. Be mindful that this year’s ceremony will be held in the Grand Ole Opry House, adjacent to Opry Mills Mall. The commencement begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Doors open to the public at 8:00 a.m. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis, and place holding in the general seating area will not be permitted. U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome M. Adams, M.D., MPH will serve as Commencement speaker.
Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., the 20th surgeon general of the United States, was sworn into office by the Vice President on September 5, 2017. Dr. Adams, a board-certified anesthesiologist, served as state health commissioner of Indiana from 2014 to 2017. Dr. Adams, a Maryland native, has bachelor’s degrees in both biochemistry and psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a master of public health degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Adams was also an associate professor of clinical anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine and a staff anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Health, where he was chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. He has served in leadership positions at a number of professional organizations including the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists. He is the immediate past chair of the Professional Diversity Committee for the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
As health commissioner, Dr. Adams presided over Indiana’s efforts to deal with the state’s unprecedented HIV outbreak. In this capacity, he worked directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as with state and local health officials and community leaders, and brought the widest range of resources, policies and care available to stem the epidemic affecting that community. He also helped with the successful launch of Indiana’s state-based, consumer-driven alternative to Medicaid expansion and worked with the state legislature to secure more than $10 million to combat infant mortality in high-risk areas of the state.
As surgeon general, Dr. Adams’ motto is “better health through better partnerships.” Dr. Adams is committed to maintaining strong relationships with the public health community and forging new partnerships with non-traditional partners, including business and law enforcement. He has pledged to lead with science, facilitate locally led solutions to the nation’s most difficult health problems and deliver higher quality health care at lower cost through patient and community engagement and better prevention. As surgeon general, Dr. Adams oversees the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which has approximately 6,700 uniformed health officers who serve in nearly 800 locations around the world to promote, protect and advance the health and safety of our nation and our world.
Thursday, May 17, 2018, Meharry reunion and commencement activities begin with Alumni Registration and Alumni Hospitality, Dental Continuing Education, the MNAA Executive Committee Meeting and the Alumni Let’s Reminisce Mixer.
Friday, May 18, 2018 brings a Golf Tournament, Dental Continuing Education, Matthew Walker Surgical Symposium, Continuing Medical Education, Alumni Registration, Nurses Breakfast, Alumni Hospitality, Meharry Cohort Study Luncheon, Wealth Management Luncheon Seminar, a Books, Art and Craft Fair, Meharry National Association Annual Meeting, Golden Anniversary Dinner, Silver Anniversary Dinner, Class Meetings, Class Pictures, An Evening of Jazz, Young Alumni Patio Party, and an Old School Party, Saturday, May 19, 2018, the Commencement is at 9 a.m. is followed by the Alumni Family Picnic (Inflatable bounces, face painting), and the Meharry Alumni Gala.
Sunday, May 20, the traditional Alumni Farewell Champagne Brunch, 10 a.m. – Noon, ends the 2018 Commencement and Reunion Weekend. For further information about Reunion 2018, please contact Meharry National Alumni Association office, Mary Solomon/Rahwa Mehari at (615) 327-6266; or Dr. Henry A. Moses at (615) 327-6732. More complete details are on the official Meharry Medical College website.
