Photo by Matt Schorr
Brenda Sterritt joins the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance team as an Administrative Assistant.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. When she joined the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance as Administrative Assistant, Brenda Sterritt already had decades of experience serving the community. She worked with Vanderbilt for 30 years – which included time with the Department of Surgical Sciences, Maternal Fetal Medicine and the School of Medicine Dean’s Office – and was a part of development teams with Fisk University and Meharry Medical College.
“It’s just the service field,” Sterritt said of her tenure at the three schools, “working in service to help others.”
That desire to work in service, coupled with the familiarity of both Meharry and Vanderbilt, led Sterritt to join the Alliance team. She found the idea of returning to Meharry while maintaining a relationship with Vanderbilt appealing.
Her focus, of course, remains on service.
“It’s all about service and how you can serve your community,” Sterritt explained. “There is a lot of community involvement here with those that are underserved.”
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.