NASHVILLE, Tenn. Students from both Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center gathered at E.S. Rose Park on September 29, 2018, for the Meharry-Vanderbilt Student Alliance’s (MVSA) “Getting Social with MVSA” event.
Bringing students together
“They kicked off their first event of the academic year in order to bring students from both institutions together,” Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance Program Manager Pilar Prather, M.Ed explained.
In total, 30 attended. They discussed programs from both institutions and offered advice to first-year students.
Attendees enjoyed barbecue from Jim N Nick’s Barbecue and participated in games of Frisbee and icebreakers.
‘Large attendance’
“It was nice to see a large attendance of students,” Prather said. “There were also a lot of returning representatives from both institutions, which contributes to the number of people wanting to be involved.”
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.
