Nashville's newest medical school selected first class from 1,368 applicants for historic first year
The Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University marked a significant milestone yesterday as it welcomed its inaugural class of 50 students. This event marks the students’ official start in Nashville's newest medical school, dedicated to shaping medicine through transformative whole-person care.
"Belmont is a university with a lot of positive momentum, and the Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine is the latest step in our incredible trajectory,” said University President Dr. Greg Jones. “Our vision is to blend tradition with innovation, understanding that the best innovation happens when it's deeply embedded in tradition. At the heart of our approach is that deep commitment to patient care, which is fundamental to what it means to be a physician. We're preparing future doctors to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in a rapidly changing health care landscape, equipping them with both time-honored values and cutting-edge skills."
The inaugural class of 2028 reflects the college's commitment to diversity and excellence. From a pool of 1,368 applicants, the cohort represents 13 states and 35 undergraduate institutions. Their academic credentials are impressive, with a median MCAT score of 509 and a median GPA of 3.64.
"We are honored to steward this future together with you,” Dr. Anderson Spickard, Dean of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, shared with the inaugural class Monday. “We are committed to providing you with the skills, knowledge, experiences and resources to become extraordinary physicians. This is a historic moment, and you are a part of it, shaping the legacy of this institution for generations to come."
The class brings extensive experience to their studies, having accumulated more than 113,000 hours of medical exposure and nearly 19,000 hours of community service.
Key highlights of the inaugural class include:
- 54% female and 46% male students ranging in age between 21 and 38 years old.
- 24 languages spoken among the cohort
- 4 rural community scholarship recipients – those who intend to practice in rural areas following graduation
- 4 first-generation college students
- 2 veterans
Learn more about studying medicine at Belmont