Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, announced a $500 million capital campaign to expand programs training Black physicians, dentists, and scientists, The Tennessean reports.

Named for the college’s upcoming 150th anniversary in 2026, the campaign, “Campaign 150,” is the largest in the institution’s history and has already secured $400 million in early donations.

Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO, said the funds will support scholarships, academic and clinical training, debt reduction, and infrastructure improvements. “Those who invest in us are not just changing individual lives — they are uplifting those underserved communities that need our graduates most,” Hildreth told The Tennessean.

Approximately $20 million will be allocated to scholarships for the School of Dentistry, the only dental program in the Southeast at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Dr. Juan A. McGruder, senior vice president for institutional advancement, described the campaign as a “declaration of our unwavering commitment to health equity, to the education of Black physicians and scientists, and to the communities that need us most.”

The campaign builds on Meharry Medical College’s previous efforts to expand student access and resources. In 2020, AFROTECH™ reported that the college received its largest single grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, a $34 million donation for student debt reduction, financial aid, and financial counseling services.

The institution has also expanded its educational reach, announcing a new training facility in Memphis to offer more clinical opportunities and address public health needs in underserved communities, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.

Researchers at Meharry Medical College also launched the GREAT Health Study to create a genomic and phenotype database for people of African ancestry, reports The Tennessean. The study seeks 500,000 volunteers from the U.S. and Africa. Per The Tennessean, people of African descent currently make up 2% or less of global genomic data, limiting the understanding of disease risks and the development of treatments.

Meharry Medical College is also partnering with Oracle Health to establish an innovation center focused on healthcare education and delivery in Nashville, with potential applications beyond the local community.