Gov. Bill Lee, Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth and MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will give brief remarks about the importance of a new program on Thursday. The program is called the Medical School Early Acceptance Program (MSEAP), which is an innovation partnership between the MTSU and Meharry Medical College. The Governor will also be presenting an inaugural six fellows of the program with special certificates on Thursday at the Tennessee Capital in Nashville.

The Medical School Early Acceptance Program (MSEAP) is a partnership between the two institutions in which qualified students enter a fast-track program consisting of three years of pre-med instruction at MTSU followed by four years of medical school training at Meharry.

The purpose is to close the gap of primary care physicians available in rural and underserved areas of the state to help close healthcare disparities. Tennessee recently ranked 45th nationally in overall health outcomes. The state is providing funding assistance to students through its TennCare program.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 (Media asked to be in place no later than 9:45 a.m.)

WHERE: State Capitol, Old Supreme Court Chambers, Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Nashville