NASHVILLE, Tenn. For Earl Britt, joining the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) resembles the return from a long journey.
“It’s like coming back home,” the newest MVA team member said.
Britt, who joins the team as a Clinical Translational Research Coordinator II, attended medical school at Meharry Medical College (MMC). During that time, he also worked with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Student Alliance (MVSA) – an organization whose mission is to bring students from Meharry and Vanderbilt together for joint outreach and research projects – and served in education and academic development.
“It was very positive,” he recalled of his time with the MVSA. “If you had an idea, you could always get a ‘yes.’”
After Meharry, Britt worked with a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, working on Biomarker Studies in DCCT/EDIC Trials and Gut Flora Metabolism Studies of Carnitine as it pertains to Cardiovascular Disease. Britt also studied Microbiology and Cell Science as an undergrad at the University of Florida.
His professional background includes work as a Biological Scientist at the University of Florida, a Research Associate at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a Diabetes Prevention Program Coach at the YMCA and an Independent Contractor for Biometric Screenings, Health and Wellness Coaching, as well as recruiting for Clinical Trials.
Britt says he hopes to bring energy, innovation, passion and hard work to the MVA team. In his new position, he plans to further his own career development and engage in community outreach, plus conduct studies in clinical trials and community physician recruitment, retention and participation.
In a way, things have come full circle for him. “As a student, I remember this place being very receptive to new ideas,” he said, “and I think that still holds true today.”
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.
