Who We Are
The Nashville Collaborative is a partnership between the Division of Academic General Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt (Monroe Carell) and community organizations, including Nashville Metro Parks, Nashville Public Library, Metro Action Commission, and the Nashville Food Project.
Dr. Bill Heerman is the Director of the Nashville Collaborative. He is a physician-scientist and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is the Chief of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics. Dr. Heerman’s research focuses on improving maternal-child health outcomes related to obesity in communities by developing and implementing behavioral interventions. His primary focus is on conducting pragmatic clinical trials in community settings using cutting-edge implementation science methods. He is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is the principal investigator on multiple randomized trials of obesity interventions funded by the NIH and PCORI. A key component of Dr. Heerman’s research is engaging community members throughout all aspects of research.
The Nashville Collaborative is co-directed by Stevon Nelms, Assistant Director of Metro Parks and Recreation.
What We Do
The Nashville Collaborative partnerships work together to develop and test community-based programs and research studies. We primarily focus on childhood obesity prevention. Our work is innovative, sustainable, evidence-based, and family-centered with a goal of measurably improving child and family health, preventing chronic disease, and improving health outcomes for all.
Our History
The Nashville Collaborative was originally founded in 2008 by Paul Whitman and Dr. Shari Barkin, and Dr. Barkin was the Executive Director from 2008-2022. Since the foundation of the program, the Nashville Collaborative has overseen and helped to facilitate over 20 research studies. Click here for more information regarding past projects.
Contact Us
LauraBeth Adams, RD
(615) 875-7298
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Division of General Pediatrics
2146 Belcourt Avenue, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37232-2504