Third Annual Benefit Concert Features
Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist Nancy Wilson

NASHVILLE- Legendary jazz vocalist and song stylist, Nancy Wilson will headline the 3rd annual benefit concert for the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College.  The benefit concert will be held on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 8p.m. at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

The Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry is the nation’s first and only biomedical and behavioral research center that focuses on the health issues that disproportionately affect women of color. The center is nationally recognized as a global model for interdisciplinary approaches to expand global awareness and clinical responsiveness to women’s health research.

The annual benefit concert plays an important role in increasing the awareness of women’s health issues and building support of the center.  Proceeds from the concert will support research initiatives like the management of asthma during pregnancy among others.

This year’s concert brings one of the nation’s most highly-regarded musical artists.  

“Nancy Wilson’s music encompasses some of the key elements of our mission for the Center for Women’s Health Research: awareness, empowerment and self-reflection,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, director of the women’s health research center and dean of Meharry’s School of Medicine.  “The Center for Women’s Health Research looks forward to a similar track record of endurance and continued success that Nancy Wilson has secured for more than forty years.”

Nancy Wilson’s musical style is so diverse that it is hard to classify. Over the years her repertoire has included pop style ballads, jazz and blues, show tunes and well known standards. Over the years, critics have described her as “a jazz singer,” “a blues singer,” “a pop singer,” and “a cabaret singer.” Others have referred to her as “a storyteller,” “a professor emeritus of body language,” “a consummate actress,” and “the complete entertainer.” Nancy Wilson’s musical talents have captured the hearts and minds of the old and young alike, making her one of the most influential artist of our time. The Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry is located on the fifth floor of the Meharry Clinics, adjoining Nashville General Hospital. It is housed along 10,000 square feet of space, equipped with state-of-the-art exercise facilities, spa-like dressing rooms, patient rooms, conference areas and more. Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent historically black medical institution dedicated solely to educating health science professionals. The College is recognized for its exceptional nurturing, highly effective educational programs; preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce.

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Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent historically black institution dedicated solely to educating minority and other health professionals. The College is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. Black Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees, and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.