NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The dream of becoming a doctor or dentist is already coming true for more than a dozen students from the first cohort of Tennessee State University’s Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Accelerated Medical and Dental Program. After making history as the inaugural graduating class in 2024, many of these scholars have just completed their first year of professional school, while others are preparing to begin this fall after taking a well-earned gap year.

The journey varies, but their mission is the same: to change the face of medicine by serving communities that need them most. As a qualified high school senior interested in medical or dental school, you can be a part of this pathway, too, by applying to join cohort 5 this fall.

The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute was launched in 2020 through a partnership between TSU and Meharry Medical College, with a shared goal of increasing the number of underrepresented doctors and dentists in the U.S.

Named in honor of TSU alumnus and renowned heart surgeon Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., the program offers an accelerated three-year track to a Bachelor of Science degree in biology or chemistry. This also guarantees consideration and pipeline support for qualified students who meet the criteria to enter medical or dental school.

For students like John Kim, the impact has been life changing. Kim, who is a part of cohort 1, just finished his first year at Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia with plans to become a primary care physician.

“The only reason I’m in medical school is because of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. program. I would not be here without TSU,” Kim said. “It was an adjustment, getting used to the environmental change, but overall, the journey has been fulfilling. In medical school, some of the classes they taught us are things I already learned at TSU, so it made my first year a bit easier.”

Kim noted that the program created a tangible, motivating experience through mentoring, physician shadowing, and a white coat ceremony. All of which are designed to make the dream of becoming a doctor feel within reach. “For most of us, we don’t have doctors in our family. So, for the program to offer this kind of exposure, it’s a big step. This program at TSU shows that this is doable,” he said.

Samantha Altidort, a Nashville native and fellow cohort 1 graduate, also credits the program for her success. Altidort maintained a 4.0 GPA at TSU and recently completed her first year at Meharry Medical College with the goal of becoming a family medicine physician. “This program has been instrumental on my pathway to medical school,” she said. “When I first applied, what stood out was the financial support, as it allowed me to focus more on academics and less on how I was going to pay for school.”

Altidort stated that she felt supported every step of the way from TSU faculty, staff, medical mentors, and classmates. “We’ve been encouraged and motivated to keep going, to get that degree, and to enter medical school so we can increase the number of underrepresented individuals in the field of medicine,” she said. From shadowing physicians in local hospitals to hands-on training, Altidort said that the journey was fulfilling and impactful.

The program’s impact has gone beyond individual success stories from TSU alumni. According to Lalita Hodge, program coordinator of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute, the overall graduation rate for biology majors in the College of Life and Physical Sciences increased substantially due to the scholars in the program.

“We are excited that 15 scholars from cohort 1 have been accepted and are now enrolled in medical, dental, or other professional healthcare schools,” said Barbara C. Murrell, chair of the institute. “It is a testament to them conceiving the dream, believing they could succeed, and working hard to achieve their goals of serving in underserved communities.”

Some of the cohort 1 students, like Brooke Majors and McKhia McCrary, will attend St. George’s University School of Medicine this fall on the Caribbean Island of Grenada. Other cohort 1 students, including George Picken IV, Ryla Traylor, Chaun Cheaney, Jaden Knight, and Camille Haskins are currently attending Meharry Medical College together.

The university continues to invest in student success and readiness. TSU offers services and resources to all students, such as the Around-the-Clock Tutoring (AARC), which provides students across campus with seven-day academic support in subjects like biology, chemistry, and math. These additional resources underscore the university’s commitment to building a pipeline of future professionals in all aspects who are academically prepared and well-supported.

The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute program is also expanding its reach. In 2025, TSU launched a new partnership with Belmont University’s Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. The collaboration allows qualified students to earn their bachelor’s degree from TSU in just three years and then matriculate into Belmont’s medical program.

With applications open for cohort 5, TSU is calling on the next generation of aspiring doctors and dentists to continue the growing legacy within the program. From academic and financial support to mentorship and hands-on experience, the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute isn’t just a program, it’s an investment for the next generation of medical professionals and beyond.

The application deadline for cohort 5 is June 30, 2025. To learn more or apply, visit www.tnstate.edu/watkins.