FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gretchen Funk, Chief Operating Officer
615-428-0357 | www.nashvillehealth.org
NashvilleHealth Marks 10 Years of Advancing Community Health and Wellbeing
A decade of data-driven partnerships, innovation, and collective action shaping a healthier future for every Nashvillian
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 2026 – NashvilleHealth today announced the celebration of its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of bringing together healthcare, business, government, and community partners to improve the health and wellbeing of every Nashvillian.
Founded in 2016 by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., NashvilleHealth was established to address a paradox: “A decade ago, I was struck by a contradiction we could not ignore,” said Senator Bill Frist, MD, Founder and Chair of NashvilleHealth. “Nashville was the health services capital of the nation, yet our own health outcomes ranked near the bottom among peer cities.”
Over the past ten years, NashvilleHealth has served as a unifying force across sectors, using data, partnerships, and coordinated action to address the root causes of poor health outcomes and health disparities. “NashvilleHealth has demonstrated in our first 10 years that there is a real need in our region for a collaborative architect and amplifier,” said Mark Yancy, CEO of NashvilleHealth.
Key achievements include the Nashville Community Health and Wellbeing Survey, establishment of the Nashville Wellness Collaborative, and leadership in major citywide initiatives such as the Heart of Nashville Wellness Opportunity Zone and the Nashville Barbershop Hypertension projects. The organization has also driven progress in tobacco-use reduction awareness, maternal and infant health, workforce wellness, and public health preparedness.
“As a physician, I see firsthand what happens when communities lack the conditions that make health possible,” said Alex Jahangir, MD, MMHC, Vice Chair of NashvilleHealth. “NashvilleHealth was built to change those conditions – not simply manage their consequences.”
As NashvilleHealth enters its second decade, the organization is expanding its data-driven approach to improve health outcomes, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and advance policies that address non-medical drivers of health.
“As we look ahead to the next ten years,” said Frist, “I believe NashvilleHealth can help make Nashville a model for Tennessee and the nation by advancing scalable solutions that improve health outcomes in communities everywhere.”
Looking ahead, NashvilleHealth’s strategic priorities include scaling community wellness initiatives, advancing chronic disease prevention strategies, and strengthening workforce wellness across the region. “We know healthier people are intrinsically tied to ensuring a healthy and thriving economy that works for us all, “ said Yancy. “That’s a Nashville we believe in.”
About NashvilleHealth
NashvilleHealth is a citywide convener dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of every Nashvillian. Guided by timely, community-specific data, NashvilleHealth builds partnerships, aligns resources, and drives solutions to address Nashville’s most critical health challenges. Its vision is a thriving Nashville where everyone has the opportunity to achieve a life of health and well-being.
Learn more at www.nashvillehealth.org.
See reflections on NashvilleHealth’s 10th Anniversary from Senator Bill Frist, M.D. here:
