Our Community Partner Spotlight features organizations that work with the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) to eliminate health disparities in the communities they serve.
Last month, on a hot afternoon, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) attended a community event at Mercury North. Tiffany Davis, Ed.D., M.A, service coordinator at Urban Housing Solutions (UHS), spoke to the MVA about the event, the mission of UHS and services they offer.
As Nashville’s largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing, Dr. Davis says, “We are constantly buying, building, and remodeling properties to try to meet the needs of all people.” At present, UHS has over forty properties in Davidson County.
Beyond housing assistance, UHS has over thirty years of experience matching clients with transportation providers, social service agencies, and community health care access. By offering a “service continuum,” UHS is able to provide holistic support for their clients. Dr. Davis explains, “If a resident ends up in the hospital, we reach out and let them know we are here for them. We tell them they have access to wraparound programs, so when they come home, they will be okay.”
UHS offers broad support for low- and moderate-income individuals and families who face challenges posed by the rising price of area rent and homeownership. Residents may also be referred to UHS programs based on specific needs, such as managing HIV/AIDS, recovering from a substance use disorder, transitioning from homelessness, and more.
UHS is a long-time MVA partner, having mutual relationships with faculty like Christian Ketel, DNP, RN, FNAP. For several years, Dr. Davis has worked with groups of students to address real community-defined needs as part of the MVA Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Project, which Dr. Ketel co-directs.
The community event at Mercury North is a testament to the strength of partnerships. For the event, the MVA helped to connect Dr. Davis with the Salt Wagon Clinic and Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center. As a result, more than sixty residents had access to health services.
Looking to get involved? UHS is planning more community events this month. On July 15, 2022 from 12 to 2 p.m. (CT), there will be food, music, and health resources at Rex Courts. On Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 2 to 7:00 p.m. (CT), the Journeys of Hope (JOH) program is hosting a “Summer Fling.” JOH is a drug and alcohol recovery program offered by UHS.
Both events are for residents only. If your organization can provide services or information for residents, please contact Dr. Davis (tiffany@urbanhousingsolutions.org) to participate.
There are many reasons to connect with the MVA. A consultation with our team can provide you an introduction to faculty or staff, connect you to resources, open doors to collaboration, increase the visibility of your events, and much more. Complete a consultation request form to get started.
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
The Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance is a collaborative initiative between Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Since 1999, faculty, researchers, health professionals, students, and community members have worked with the MVA to address health disparities. The MVA is committed to cultivating strategic partnerships, building community capacity, and facilitating research and learning opportunities. We seek to promote community resources and assets that strengthen connections between our institutions, partners, and the populations they serve.
