Fisk Area in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr.

North Nashville

— Walkable & bikeable from right here —

Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 18, 2025

1. Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr. Marker

Inscription. Dr. David B. Todd, Jr. graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1956 at the head of his class. Passionate about healthy hearts, he became the first black cardiovascular surgeon in Nashville and led the team that performed the first open-heart surgery at Meharry's Hubbard Hospital (now Metro General), Sadly, on his way home from work one day in 1980, he suffered a massive coronary and died at the young age of 48. As a tribute to Dr. Todd's service to the community, 18th Ave N, north of Charlotte Ave was renamed Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr. Blvd. A foundation was also created in his name to help provide medical equipment and scholarships for Meharry students.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 36° 10.212′ N, 86° 48.06′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in the Fisk Area. It is on 14th Avenue North north of Meharry Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1035 14th Ave N, Nashville TN 37208, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Matthew Walker Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley Frierson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nashville Sit-Ins (about 300 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speech at Fisk University (about 300 feet away); The Alfred Stieglitz Collection at Fisk University/The Civil Rights March (about 300 feet away); Clark Memorial United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); 'Night Train' (about 600 feet away); Kossie Gardner Sr. (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 18, 2025

2. Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.