About | Memphis Medical District Collaborative

Mission-driven for stronger communities

Our Mission

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) is a community development organization working with anchor institutions to strengthen the connections, communities, and campuses in the Memphis Medical District so they are more vibrant, prosperous, and equitable.

VIBRANT

The who, what, and where of the Medical District.

Active, Accessible, and
Aspirational

See Vibrant Stories

PROSPEROUS

Access grants, incentives,
and more.

Successful, Sustainable, and
Innovative

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EQUITABLE

See our programs, purpose,
and progress.

Open, Encouraging, and
Inclusive

See Equitable Stories

How it all began

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) was established in 2016 to realize the economic and cultural potential of the underserved Memphis Medical District. MMDC was founded thanks to the support and collaboration of U3 Advisors, Hyde Family Foundation, and founding anchor partner Memphis Bioworks Foundation.

The District is home to eight major anchor institutions: Baptist College of Health Sciences, Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Methodist/LeBonheur, Regional One Health, Southern College of Optometry, Southwest Tennessee Community College, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/ALSAC, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

The District includes roughly 11,000 residents, of which 43% of households live below the poverty line, with a median annual household income just over $19k. When the organization was founded, anchor partners owned 250 acres of real estate and invested just 4% of their $1.2B in purchasing power in the neighborhood. Over our first five years, MMDC has increased local spend by $103M and leveraged over $300M in private sector real estate investments through total investments of $15.8M.

MMDC will build upon the success of our programs to further enhance and grow the Medical District as a desirable and livable community for all Memphians.