The partnership between Belmont University and HCA Healthcare has led to the establishment of a new medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. The Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University recently welcomed its first class of 50 students, marking an exciting milestone in the city’s healthcare landscape.
The inaugural class of the medical school boasts impressive credentials, with a median MCAT score of 509 and a median GPA of 3.64. The diversity of the class is also notable, with students representing 24 different languages and a majority of them being female. Additionally, four students have received rural community scholarships, reflecting the school’s commitment to serving underserved areas after graduation.
HCA Healthcare, a leading healthcare provider in the U.S., has played a significant role in the establishment of the new medical school. Through its Nashville-based TriStar Health network, HCA will provide the necessary clinical elements for accreditation, including core clinical clerkships for third-year students and clinical elective rotations for fourth-year students. The partnership also offers a pathway to graduate medical education opportunities and support for faculty positions.
Dr. Anderson Spickard was named dean of the college of medicine in 2023, after serving as interim dean for a year. The medical school’s foundation is built on a legacy of connections between Belmont University and HCA Healthcare, dating back to entrepreneur and HCA co-founder Jack Massey. The Frist family, including Thomas Frist Jr., MD, and Thomas Frist Sr., MD, were also instrumental in the development of HCA Healthcare.
As one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., HCA Healthcare operates 186 hospitals and more than 2,000 sites of care. The company prides itself on being the largest sponsor of graduate medical education programs in the country, with numerous teaching hospitals and thousands of residents and fellows in various programs. With a robust revenue of $65 billion in 2023, HCA Healthcare is a key player in the healthcare industry.
The new medical school boasts a state-of-the-art facility, costing $180 million and spanning 198,000 square feet. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility took place in April, marking the beginning of a new chapter in medical education in Nashville.
Overall, the partnership between Belmont University and HCA Healthcare has not only resulted in the opening of a new medical school but has also paved the way for future generations of healthcare professionals. With a focus on excellence, diversity, and community service, the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine is poised to make a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in Tennessee and beyond.
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