On Saturday, May 19, Meharry Medical College will celebrate its 143rd commencement exercises beginning at 9 am at the Grand Ole Opry House. The commencement will feature remarks by the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, who will address the nation's healthcare challenges and the role Meharry graduates will play in meeting those challenges. Sworn in as the nation's 20th Surgeon General in September 2017, Vice Admiral Adams is one of only six African-Americans to serve as the nation's top doctor and once stood in the same shoes as the young physicians, dentists and researchers graduating from Meharry.

A board-certified anesthesiologist who served as state health commissioner of Indiana from 2014-2017, Adams is a strong voice in the fight against the opioid epidemic and a champion of improving minority health. In his new role, Adams' motto is "better health through better partnerships." He has pledged to lead with science, facilitate locally led solutions to the nation's most pressing health problems, and delivery higher quality care at a lower cost through patient and community engagement and better prevention.

Doors open at 8 am for the public event. The Grand Ole Opry House is located at 2804 Opryland Drive.