August 21, 2015

Sir Norman (Tyler) Melancon

First year medical student Sir Norman Melancon in Chapman Quad. (John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

By: Kathy Whitney

Sir Norman (Tyler) Melancon

Second-year medical student; former linebacker for Dartmouth College

Recipient of the Bess & Townsend McVeigh Scholarship

Hometown: Parker, Texas

“The individual focus and early introduction to clinical experience attracted me to Vanderbilt. The emphasis on wellness and support for pursuing interests outside of science also made me think there was a place for my humanities approach to clinical practice. The strong black heritage and history of Nashville made me feel connected to the community.”

VUSM’s curriculum integrates basic science and clinical experiences from the start.

Saturday flag football: “The smell of the turf reminds me of how I spent so many days of my life.”

Experiential training using human cadavers is an important part of the first-year Gross Anatomy course.

A vegetarian for 3.5 years, Sir Norman takes advantage of the weekly Nashville Farmers’ Market on campus.

Canoeing the Harpeth River with girlfriend Crishuauna Williams is a welcome respite from studying for first-year finals. “My first year has been a true privileged experience.”

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