A road leading to Vanderbilt is being renamed to honor a pioneer black surgeon.
The previous confederate-tied nickname "Dixie Place" will now be renamed to Vivien Thomas Way honoring cardiac surgeon Vivien T. Thomas. Thomas was a pioneer in medical involvement for African Americans at Vanderbilt Hospital.
The name change came from discussions among Vanderbilt students regarding the civil unrest over the death of George Floyd.
Nashville officials commemorated the name change during a celebratory event on Monday.