Meharry Medical College Names Dr. Epps Interim President Board of Trustees to Identify President for New Era

Nashville Tennessee Meharry Medical College's Board of Trustees
has named A. Cherrie Epps, Ph.D., former dean of its School of Medicine and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, to serve as interim president while it identifies a new leader for the school's promising future.

In February 2006, the school's ninth president and chief executive officer, John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S., announced his intent to resign, effective June 30, 2006, after a12-year tenure at the helm of Meharry.

"Meharry is fortunate to have Dr. Epps assume the role of interim president during this time of transition," said Milton H. Jones, chairman of Meharry's Board of Trustees. "She is a steadfast supporter of Meharry who, during decades of service, has helped to shape its unique and crucial mission. Dr. Epps is a consummate leader who serves as an advocate for excellence and commands deep respect from the students and from her peers. We look forward to her contributions in this important role."

A native of New Orleans, La., Dr. Epps received her B.S. degree in zoology from Howard University (1951), an M.S. degree in biological science from Loyola University in New Orleans(1959), and the Ph.D. degree in zoology from Howard University(1966). She currently serves as the senior advisor to the president of Meharry and dean emerita, of Medicine she also remains a professor of internal medicine at the College.

Meharry has in place an exceptionally strong senior leadership team that will guide the school through this transition and beyond. Dr. Epps and these dedicated administrators are focused on Meharry and its continued strong performance during this transition.

According to Jones, Dr. Neal Vanselow, a member of the Board of Trustees is leading the Executive Search Committee in a process that includes input from Meharry faculty, students, alumni, administration, and other stakeholders. The committee also has engaged Heidrick and Struggles, a national executive search firm, to assist in the search.

Meharry has a proud history on which we have built a strong and focused future course," said Jones. "We feel confident that we have taken all the necessary steps for a smooth transition and look forward to identifying the next leader who will further elevate this venerable institution.&quot

Meharry has completed a number of initiatives over the last decade that have strengthened its already nationally-renowned academic programs and built a strong foundation for a new era of service:

• Meharry has attracted a number of renowned medical scientists who have gained national recognition for the College's health disparities research in the areas of women's health, cancer, heart disease, and AIDS.
• Meharry co-founded the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, linking the city's two academic health science centers in research, education, and patient care.
• Research funding has quadrupled to $35.5 million.
• Meharry raised $127.5 million during its capital campaign, exceeding its goal by $2.5 million.
• Accreditation of the College and all of its professional schools has been reaffirmed for the maximum periods possible.

Meharry Medical College is the nation's largest private, independent historically black institution dedicated solely to educating 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. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education's (formerly Black Issues in Higher Education) 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.

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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.