Public Service Announcement with Dr. James E.K. Hildreth

Reverend Robert Hall, chaplain at Meharry Medical College and special advisor to the president joins Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to discuss how faith interweaves with medicine, how spiritual care shapes compassionate healthcare providers, and why trust between communities and healthcare systems often begins in places of worship. He also shares lessons from Meharry's 150-year legacy and how students can align their career with a deeper calling to serve.

With more than 30 years of experience in health disparities research, Mr. Vence Bonham, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College's Diaspora Human Genomics Institute (DHGI), joins Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to explain how genomics is shaping the future of personalized medicine, and why the lack of diversity in genetic data creates major gaps in care. Through initiatives like Together for Change, Meharry is working to build one of the largest genomics databases of individuals of African ancestry, reshaping and improving treatment, screening and health outcomes for generations to come.

Dr. Juan McGruder, senior vice president of institutional advancement at Meharry Medical College joins Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to explain how fundraising, partnerships and alumni engagement fuel Meharry's mission and student success. He also discusses the unique challenges facing historically Black medical schools, the importance of storytelling and endowment and how Meharry's 150th anniversary is helping strengthen relationships and expand impact.

What does it take to pivot from professional athletics to a career in health care? Dr. James E.K. Hildreth explores that path with Donovan Gilmore, a Harlem Globetrotter and current Meharry School of Dentistry student (Class of 2027). Gilmore shares how mentorship and a pivotal conversation inspired him to pursue dentistry after a career in athletics and entertainment. He reflects on the challenges of returning to school as a nontraditional student, the lessons sports taught him about perseverance and teamwork and his mission to expand access to dental care in underserved communities.

Dr. Andrew Marshall, a 2015 Meharry alumnus, joins Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to discuss his journey from emergency medicine to a clinical specialist role at Google. With advanced training in bioinformatics from Harvard, he now leverages artificial intelligence and digital health innovation to improve health literacy, expand equitable access to care, and enhance online health information. In the conversation, they explore algorithmic equity, AI's role in underserved communities, and why future healthcare professionals must "get familiar with AI" to lead in the next era of medicine.

Dr. Mosa Shubayr, a Meharry graduate and leader in dental public health, joins Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to discuss how he is transforming care in Saudi Arabia. From launching a dental program serving more than 70,000 rural people to successfully integrating research, academic training and clinical services, Shubayr shares how compassion and data-driven strategy can improve oral health outcomes. He also reflects on Meharry's lasting influence and why Meharry's mission continues to guide his leadership today.

Preserving history isn't about looking backward — it's about ensuring the future understands what came before. As Executive Director of the Meharry Medical College Library and Archives, Sandra Parham serves as the guardian of a 150-year legacy rooted in service, resilience and community care. In this episode, she shares how documenting Meharry's past — its students, stories and sacrifices — reveals why the institution's mission remains as vital today as it was in 1876, and why there will always be a need for Meharry.

Meharry alumnus Dr. Brandon Morgan, founder of Iconic Orthodontics in Atlanta, sits down with Dr. James E.K. Hildreth to share how his journey through Meharry and Howard University shaped his commitment to serving underserved communities, launching a Medicaid orthodontic program and building a non-traditional practice centered on access and trust. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, health policy, community engagement and the essential role creativity plays in closing gaps in dental care.

Orthodontist and Meharry alumnus Dr. Kenneth Carter (class of 2020) shares how mentorship shaped his path from Chicago to dental education and practice ownership. As the first Meharrian accepted into the University of Michigan's orthodontics program, Carter discusses the importance of representation, the barriers facing aspiring Black and brown healthcare professionals and his commitment to building pathways that expand access to dentistry. He also offers powerful advice for students, insights on authentic leadership and a call to action for lifting up the next generation.

Thousands of Tennesseans can't access the dental care they need, but Dr. Julie Gray isn't waiting around for this to change — she's driving the change right to their doors.As Associate Dean of Community Affairs at Meharry Medical College, Gray leads transformational programs like the Mobile Dental Unit and biannual Oral Health Days, bringing compassionate, high-quality care directly to underserved populations. Hear how her journey from Meharry student to leader in community dentistry reflects the College's enduring mission of service and shines a light on how oral health care can be delivered with empathy, innovation and purpose.