More than 500 student physicians, dentists, researchers, and other health care professionals from Meharry Medical College crossed the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House on May 16, in Nashville, TN, during the College’s 2026 Commencement ceremony.
As the institution marked 150 years since its founding in 1876, the Class of 2026 stood as Meharry’s Sesquicentennial Class, representing decades of legacy, perseverance, service and leadership in health care. Graduates entered the workforce prepared to strengthen communities nationwide as physicians, dentists, researchers, public health leaders and data scientists.
Meharry has five schools of study and, according to the event program, the number of students graduating from each school is listed below:
School of Global Health: 22
School of Applied Computational Sciences: 27
School of Graduate Studies: 327
School of Dentistry: 82
School of Medicine: 107
Total: 565 graduating students
Remarks were delivered by Meharry President and CEO Dr. James E.K. Hildreth Sr., who addressed graduates, families and friends during a ceremony that reflected on the institution’s history, traditions and continued impact on health equity and medical education. During Commencement, students were officially recognized as health care professionals prepared to advance patient care, research and public health in communities across the nation and the world.
| Meharry Medical College's Historic Graduation | |
|---|---|
| Category | Details |
| The Institution | Meharry Medical College, a historically Black academic health sciences center founded in 1876 in Nashville, Tennessee. |
| The Milestone | The college celebrated its 150th Sesquicentennial Commencement, awarding degrees to the largest graduating class in the school's entire history. |
| The Venue | The historic ceremony was held on May 16, 2026, at the Grand Ole Opry House. |
| The Graduates | A total of 565 students crossed the stage to become physicians, dentists, researchers, and public health professionals. |
| The Breakdown | The graduating class represented all five of the institution's schools: School of Graduate Studies (327), School of Medicine (107), School of Dentistry (82), School of Applied Computational Sciences (27), and School of Global Health (22). |
| Leadership | Meharry President and CEO Dr. James E.K. Hildreth Sr. delivered remarks, emphasizing the graduates' critical role in transforming health outcomes and serving communities that have often been overlooked. |
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