Future rural physicians begin MTSU-Meharry program; Dec. 1 application deadline nears for next cohort

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A congenital heart defect detected in middle school led Nikhil “Nik” Yelemali of Brentwood to want to become a physician, leading the Ravenwood High School graduate to pursue the unique Middle Tennessee State University-Meharry College Medical School Early Acceptance Program partnership.

Yelemali is one of six freshmen — including Abigail Sajor, Faheem Mohammed, Jack Lane, Avantika Pillai and Rezan Saleem — selected to the program this year. It is the sixth class overall since starting in 2019 with the support of state funding, bringing the total number of future doctors to 23 — young physicians who will commit to serve in medically underserved populations and alleviate health care disparities in rural Tennessee.

During the Summer Bridge program at Meharry Medical College for the new group of Middle Tennessee State University freshmen in the Medical School Early Acceptance Program, students met with key Meharry administrators. Shown are, front row, from left, Abigail Sajor; Sakina Eltom, Meharry Department of Professional and Medical Education chair; Theodora Pinnock, Meharry associate dean for Student Affairs and Admission; and Faheem Mohammed. Back row from left, are MTSU MSEAP students Rezan Saleem, Nik Yelemali, Jack Lane and Avantika Pillai. (Photo by Meharry Medical College)

The program, which includes strong financial aid support for qualifying students, is accepting applications by its Dec. 1 deadline for the 2025-26 cohort of students, said Eric Miller, advising manager of the Pre-Professional Health Science Advising Center in the MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

Eric Miller, CBAS advising manager — Eric Miller

The MSEAP is a seven-year program exclusively for incoming freshmen that begins with acceptance into the program as an MTSU undergraduate and concludes with graduation from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine. By program’s end, students will earn a Bachelor of Science from MTSU and a Doctor of Medicine from Meharry.

“Any Tennessee high school senior interested in the program is encouraged to apply before Dec. 1,” Miller said. “To help students in the program, we offer substantial financial support, including full scholarships to MTSU and Meharry.”

Gathering at the Blue Horseshoe in Walnut Grove on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., freshmen and first-year Medical School Early Acceptance Program students, from left, Abigail Sajor, Faheem Mohammed, Nik Yelemali, Jack Lane, Avantika Pillai and Rezan Saleem begin their journey to become physicians. The program, which has a Dec. 1 application deadline for Tennessee high school students wanting to be in the next cohort, is an MTSU-Meharry Medical College partnership to bring doctors to rural Tennessee areas. (Submitted photo)

Dr. Greg Van Patten, professor, Chemistry; dean, CBAS — Dr. Greg Van Patten

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten said the program “offers an exceptional opportunity for high-achieving high school seniors to fast-track their journey to an M.D. in just seven years instead of the traditional eight. They will complete this journey debt-free, with no tuition costs, while contributing to the critical need for primary care physicians in rural areas across the state.”

“This innovative program has been made possible through the commitment of the governor and General Assembly, who have prioritized funding, and the collaborative efforts of MTSU and Meharry Medical College in designing the accelerated curriculum,” Van Patten added. “The result is a program that benefits the students interested in this work and also strengthens the communities that they will ultimately serve.”

Tiffany Turner, assistant professor in the Department of Professional and Medical Education at Meharry, said her college “had a dynamic orientation (Summer Bridge program) with our esteemed Middle Tennessee State University MSEAP scholars.

“Meharry faculty, staff and students participated in the summer orientation. Our scholars toured the campus, participated in a simulation laboratory exercise, received CPR leadership development training and enjoyed panel discussions with their MMC family.”

A minimum 3.5 GPA and minimum composite 28 ACT are required. Those interested can visit www.mtsu.edu/cbas/MSEAP.php to learn more or email Mille at EricB.Miller@mtsu.edu.

For a Habitat for Humanity home build earlier this year in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Middle Tennessee State University College of Basic and Applied Sciences advisors Eric Miller, left, and Kim Stephens were joined by MTSU freshmen and first-year Medical School Early Acceptance Program students Jack Lane, Nik Yelemali, Avantika Pillai, Abigail Sajor, Faheem Mohammed and Rezan Saleem. Tennessee high school seniors interested in the program — a partnership between MTSU and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. — must apply by Dec. 1 to be considered and selected to be part of the 2025-26 cohort. (Submitted photo)

Yelemali’s road

Nik Yelemali, 18, who had a 4.6 GPA at Ravenwood and 34 ACT, is following in the footsteps of older sister Priya Yelemali, a second-year Meharry med student.

“Her journey has motivated me to pursue opportunities like those offered through MTSU’s MSEAP program,” he said. “I’m eager to develop my own skills, engage in impactful research and build a strong foundation.”

Entering Ravenwood, Yelemali said he “struggled to pinpoint what I was good at and enjoyed doing. Learning about scientific research sparked a newfound excitement. … I realized science was the field for me and research was my passion. This initial spark transformed into a genuine passion for medicine and medical research.”

At MTSU this fall, “the biggest adjustment I had to make was my study methodology,” he said, adding he’s recovering from the flu just before the Thanksgiving holiday break. “College learning was a faster pace, so I had to get more creative in my study methods. I used strategies like teaching others, quizzing myself and studying with others.”

Yelemali said the “cohort has been a highlight of my experience so far. … An escape room (bonding session) allowed us to collaborate, critically think and come together to solve a common problem.

“For me, it has been more than academic support. It’s about having a group of people who genuinely care about each other’s well-being and success. I am inspired by the other students in my cohort, and their passion and commitment motivate me to be the best version of myself.”

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)