Street Designation Honors a Lasting Local Legacy

The Nashville community is honoring the enduring legacy of Dr. Harold W. Jordan, a trailblazing physician and educator, with a posthumous honorary street designation recognizing his profound impact on medicine, education, and public service. Dr. Jordan was a member of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church.

In December, the Nashville Metro Council approved a ruling to designate a portion of Morena Street near Meharry Medical College in North Nashville as “Dr. Harold W. Jordan Way.” The designation commemorates Dr. Jordan’s extraordinary achievements and the influence he continues to have on generations of medical professionals.

A Pioneer in Medicine and Education

Born in 1937 in Newnan, Georgia, Dr. Jordan came from a remarkable lineage of physicians. Inspired by both his grandfather and great-grandfather, he pursued medicine at a young age. After graduating from Morehouse College, he enrolled at Meharry Medical College in 1958, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. John Henry Jordan, who was the first Black physician in Covington, Georgia.

Dr. Jordan later completed his residency in internal medicine at Meharry and went on to make history as Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s first Black physician and resident. He served as an assistant professor and later as director of the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at Meharry, before becoming Tennessee’s first Black commissioner of the Department of Mental Health.

A Leader and Mentor

Beyond his clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Jordan was deeply committed to mentorship, diversity, and service. He later chaired the Department of Psychiatry and served as acting dean at Meharry Medical School. His work opened doors for countless students—many of whom credit him directly for their careers in medicine.

His daughter, Karen Jordan, shared that the family expected the honor because of how dedicated and humble her father was, and how profoundly he influenced the lives of others. Stories from physicians across the country attest to Dr. Jordan’s encouragement and support, often helping students believe in themselves when they doubted their path.

A Legacy That Lives On

In recognition of his contributions, Vanderbilt University established the annual Harold Jordan Lecture Series and Award, honoring diversity, inclusion, and social justice—values that defined Dr. Jordan’s career.

The honorary street designation ensures that Dr. Harold W. Jordan’s name and legacy remain visible in the very community he served so faithfully. It stands as a reminder of the power of dedication, leadership, and service to create lasting change.

News coverage comes from the Tennessee Tribune.