Historic gift supports inaugural class at Nashville's newest medical school
The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation has given $1 million to establish an endowed scholarship at Belmont University's Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, marking another milestone for Nashville's newest medical school. The scholarship will support medical students with demonstrated financial need, helping to make medical education more accessible to aspiring physicians.
Bill and Crissy Haslam
"We are deeply grateful to Bill and Crissy Haslam for their visionary support of our medical students. Their leadership in education and community continues to transform lives across Tennessee," said Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones. “This scholarship will open doors for future physicians who might otherwise face financial barriers, strengthening health care across our region for generations to come.”
As Tennessee faces growing health care challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas, expanding access to medical education becomes increasingly critical. This gift represents a significant step toward addressing these needs by making medical education more accessible to promising students who will serve Tennessee communities and beyond.
The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation champions educational access through strategic investments in organizations that demonstrate strong leadership and a focus on outcomes. This gift to Belmont's College of Medicine continues the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to making quality education accessible to students who are furthest from opportunity.
“We are honored to support the next generation of medical students who will receive their training at Belmont University’s Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine,” said Crissy Haslam. “Education transforms lives and communities, and we know that Belmont’s College of Medicine will serve as a gateway for students who want to give their lives to the field of medicine. We are hopeful this scholarship will remove barriers for students who desire to make an impact through both their talents and training.”
The Bill and Crissy Haslam Endowed Scholarship will help reduce financial barriers for future medical students pursuing their calling to medicine. Through a matching opportunity from the University, the impact of this generous gift will be doubled, allowing the scholarship to support even more aspiring physicians. With the average medical school graduate facing more than $200,000 in educational debt that can take up to 13 years to repay, scholarships like this one provide vital support and give new physicians more flexibility to serve where they are needed most.
“We are profoundly grateful to Bill and Crissy Haslam for their generous support. Their commitment to holistic medical education aligns perfectly with our mission to train physicians who view healing as a comprehensive process, addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of patient care,” said Dr. Anderson Spickard, dean of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. “This scholarship will not only alleviate financial burdens for our students but also empower them to serve with compassion and excellence in communities across Tennessee and beyond.”
The gift comes at a historic moment as the College of Medicine launched its inaugural class in July 2024, selecting 50 future physicians from 1,368 applicants. These students began their medical education in the College's new $180 million state-of-the-art facility, which opened its doors in April 2024. The inaugural class brings impressive credentials, having contributed more than 19,000 hours of community service and speaking 24 different languages.
The 198,000-square-foot facility houses one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive medical simulation centers, designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a controlled environment. The building features the innovative Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation, where medical students train alongside nursing, pharmacy, and other health care students, fostering the collaborative approach essential to modern health care delivery.
Learn more about the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine