Dr. George C. Hill

Dr. George C. Hill, equity and inclusion trailblazer, passed away peacefully, on February 3, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, surrounded by family. He was 86.

George was born on Sunday, February 19, 1939. He spent his life rooted in family, faith, research, education, and community—and moved through the world with resilience, curiosity, and deep conviction.

As an accomplished scientist, researcher, and educator, George’s professional life was guided by a deep sense of responsibility to knowledge, justice, and the generations that would follow him. He devoted decades to medical education and academic leadership in Nashville, including service at Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University, where he served as the inaugural Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and its first Chief Diversity Officer.

George believed deeply in the promise of Black students and other underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in medicine. He committed himself to ensuring they were seen, supported, and had opportunities to thrive. His mentorship, advocacy, and institutional leadership helped widen pathways and continue to shape the field today.

In 1998, George was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2017, he received the AAMC Herbert W. Nickens Award for outstanding contributions to justice in medical education and health care equity. These are just two of many honors that recognized a lifetime of principled leadership in science and medicine.

George’s life was defined not only by his remarkable achievements, but by his love for his family. He was deeply devoted to and proud of his children and took pride in fostering relationships that connected generations. He cared deeply that his grandchildren knew the history of their ancestors, and how their experiences shaped their lineage. In his later days, he cherished time with his great-grandchildren who brought him great joy.

Those who knew George understood that his kindness was not performative, but lived. Through his love of travel, both for research and personal enrichment, he immersed himself in local cultures and recognized the beauty of humanity in those he met along the way. Conversations with him lingered long after they ended, often over a meal or on the beach at sunrise—an everyday kind of wonder he loved and made time for whenever possible. Wherever he was, he carried a joy with him that was often accompanied by his fedoras and signature smile.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda, and his son, Brian Hare. He is survived by his twin brother, Washington Clark Hill, and his sister, Mary Ester Davis. He was a devoted father to Yvette Hill Smith (Rick), Kevin Lewis Hill (Jill), and Nicole Y. Hare.

George was a proud grandfather to Spencer Hill Ray, Isabelle Cruz Hill, Tiassa Marie Ray, Alexandra Rosengard Hill, Lewis Grant Hill, Mary Kate Yaukey (Jason), and Kelly Anne Smith (Taha), and a cherished great-grandfather to Tatum Michael Williams, Tianna Michaela Ray, and True Mazi Ray.

He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Brad Witherspoon (Rachel), Nathan Hill, Michelle Davis, and Brenetta Smith (Kofi); his longtime partner, Catalina Flores; and his former wife, Paula Hill (Cameron). He leaves behind many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as countless colleagues and students whose lives he impacted over the years.

George will be remembered for the paths he carved through the medical field for generations to come, his role as a loving patriarch, and as a man of deep faith. George was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Capitol Hill for over 35 years in Nashville, and continued to lead and participate in prayer groups even after relocating to Hilton Head. George’s passion for service also extended to his membership in 100 Black Men of Nashville and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Chi Boulé, an affiliation that reflected his lifelong commitment to leadership and brotherhood. His life was a gift, and his absence will be felt deeply.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that George be honored with a donation to the Hill Family Center for College Access at Rutgers University-Camden, which provides college and career guidance to students and families in the Camden, NJ area, or the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, supporting faculty efforts to eliminate health disparities.

A reception will follow the burial at the Black Cultural Center on the Vanderbilt University campus at 3pm.