Current and Upcoming Community Projects
Serving our Local Communities from the Heart
Dry January® USA
Dry January is an alcohol reduction mission, coined by the charity known as Alcohol Change UK, whose roots began in 1984 with the goal of reducing the harm alcohol consumption causes.
For the first time, Dry January is in the U.S., and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN is proud to own and promote this trademark in Music City, U.S.A.
Dry January USA has been active throughout Nashville and has hosted several special events during and around the month of January, some of which have been hosted at The Bluebird Cafe, Il Forno, and The Green Hills Mall.
Some partnering organizations include Mocktails.com, Lyres.com, The Killjoy Club, as well as Project C.U.R.E.
Learn more about what we do through our blog as well as our social media page!
Project C.U.R.E.
In 1987, Project C.U.R.E. was founded as an international medical relief with the goal of sending medical equipment donations, free-of-cost to the receiving medical centers in underserved countries. Almost 40 years later, it has shipped over 2000 containers to 135 countries, leading to great success stories!
Dr Michael C Caldwell is an active Project C.U.R.E. Ambassador who has connected his students and colleagues with this selfless organization. As part of his mission, he has even added participation in this public health mission as part of the Meharry Medical College Social Foundations of Medicine Course Curriculum. More and greater collaborations with Meharry's Global School of Public Health to come.
Nashville Pink Jeep
The idea of Dr. Caldwell's Pink Jeep as a symbol for breast cancer awareness first came to life when MBC Travelers, a nonprofit organization for individuals with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer, asked him to rent out his car during a fun girl's trip to Nashville, Tennessee in 2022.
Although the Nashville Pink Jeep is still available on Turo for rent, and there might be a few new pink Jeeps in town, there is something special about this one since it was featured on a video interview by MBC Travelers. This event has provided the Pink Jeep with a breast cancer awareness identity just as the little pink ribbons have done for years.
Only recently has the Nashville Pink Jeep increased its social media presence with a new Instagram account: @nashvillepinkjeep. This has allowed the Pink Jeep to share educational information on breast cancer and connected with many active organizations in this field, including Dry January, due to the strong link between alcohol and breast cancer.
Plans to set up fundraisers for this cause are currently limited due to funding. Most importantly, the Nashville Pink Jeep needs an increased local interest of individuals who would love to support this mission and would like to bring more activity ideas to the table!
Clinical Research & Diversity
Dr Michael C Caldwell has been actively involved as a primary clinical research investigator over hundreds of scientific projects. Most of his focus has been on vaccine and alcohol research, and over the years he has brought his knowledge to the educational setting.
One major issue in the field of clinical research that he has been working hard to bring awareness to as well as combat is clinical research diversity. The lack of diversity in major research studies have reduced the ability to apply research results to minority populations and make sure they're safe for all individuals in a population. He has been outspoken on a number of past research results in vaccine research, after which the FDA had also become more vocal about it.
Through his activism in this area, and education involvement, he has also brought diverse medical students into the research spotlight which help with the success and trust of diverse populations in clinical research.
Dr Caldwell is always open to collaborating with interested (current/future) medical professionals in clinical research, and making sure all diversity and additional needs in a study are met.
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is a future project Dr Michael C Caldwell has been looking forward to organizing in honor of veterans and service members. This is an especially important project because of the doctor's close family ties with the military. This has encouraged his interest in promoting service member appreciation as well as a better understanding of the history of the United States of America, with all its challenges and triumphs.
​
In the past, he has been involved in sharing pocketbook copies of the U.S. constitution to spread awareness and appreciation of military members, both past and current.
He would like to expand his reach for Armed Forces Day, and make it a special event day in Nashville.
While some ideas are in the works, Dr Caldwell is looking for motivated individuals who have the same love and admiration for service members and their families and would like to bring their suggestions in order to bring this important mission to life.
Reach out to Dr Michael C Caldwell through the form below, if this sounds like something you would love to do!
