Danforth Dialogues with Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG
COVID-19 turned life upside down for all of humanity literally leaving no one untouched or unimpacted. At the onset of the pandemic, Morehouse School of Medicine President and CEO, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, and her leadership team recognized that the health crisis would be the ultimate teaching opportunity for MSM’s students and staff. The school returned to on-campus instruction early in the pandemic because as future healthcare professionals, they felt the students should model behavior that will prepare them to be on the frontlines of any future public health crisis. Morehouse School of Medicine implemented rigorous testing and contract tracing programs which, over the course of the pandemic, kept the school’s positivity rate under 1 percent until the emergence of the omicron variant. The school also launched a community vaccination program and hosted a “Civil Rights Leaders” vaccination event to inspire Black Americans to get the shots. Given its unique role as a public health resource focused on underserved and minority communities, Morehouse School of Medicine has garnered some valuable leadership insights over the past two years in the battle to stem the impact of COVID-19. Coupled with her own extensive experience as a medical professional, public health expert, and academic executive, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice wants to share these lessons learned with both the school’s students and the wider educational and business community in hopes they might offer help to others.
Episodes
In this special 50th-anniversary finale of Danforth Dialogues, Host Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice brings together the three past presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) for a conversation on vision, service, and legacy. Together, they reflect on 50 years of advancing health equity—from building a medical school in temporary trailers to shaping the future of medicine.
Segment Breakdown
- Segment 1:...
This month on Danforth Dialogues, we are honored to welcome Dr. Regina Benjamin, the 18th United States Surgeon General who served during the Obama administration. A trailblazer in public health and health equity, Dr. Benjamin brings decades of experience and national leadership to the conversation.
A native of Alabama, Dr. Benjamin began her medical journey at Morehouse School of Medicine as a member of the second entering class w...
On this episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with the acclaimed actor and keynote speaker, Courtney B. Vance. Known for his Tony, Emmy, and NAACP Image Awards, Vance shares deeply personal stories and profound insights from his journey in life and career.
Vance reflects on growing up in 1960s Detroit, where he witnessed both the vibrancy of his community and the challenges o...
Join us for a special episode of Danforth Dialogues as we reflect on an extraordinary year of transformative leadership under the visionary guidance of Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice. Hosted by Dr. Creshema Murray, Vice President and Chief of Staff at Morehouse School of Medicine, this 2024 Year in Review takes listeners on a journey through some of the most powerful conversations from Season Two.
This e...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Dr. David Skorton, President and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Dr. Skorton assumed leadership of the AAMC in 2019, where he introduced a comprehensive strategic planning process aimed at addressing major challenges in healthcare and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic medicine. Prior to this ro...
In this powerful episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, sits down with Carol B. Tomé, CEO of UPS. As the first woman and outsider to lead UPS in its 117-year history, Carol shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Wyoming to becoming one of the most influential leaders in corporate America. Listeners will gain insight into Carol’s leadership phi...
In this powerful episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, sits down with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. As the first Latino to hold this distinguished office, Secretary Becerra shares his inspiring personal journey—from his working-class upbringing to becoming a key leader in the fight for health equity in America. Listeners wil...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Wright Lassiter III, Chief Executive Officer at CommonSpirit Health.
CommonSpirit Health is one of the country’s largest and most diverse healthcare organizations, with an expansive network of over 2,200 care sites across twenty-four states. With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Lassiter previously served as CEO of Henry Ford Heal...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Dr. Natalie Hernandez-Green, the Executive Director of the Center for Maternal Health Equity and Associate Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Dr. Hernandez-Green has a wealth of experience in community-based participatory research, women’s health equity, and social determinants of health. In 2019, she helped establish the Moreho...
In today’s episode, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice continues her conversation with Writer, Political Analyst, and Host of “The Reid Out,” Joy-Ann Reid.
Following a short stint in consulting, Ms. Reid started her broadcast career at a television station in Florida. Ms. Reid has been a morning radio talk show host, worked for former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, and served as managing editor of The Gri...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Writer, Political Analyst, and Host of “The Reid Out,” Joy-Ann Reid.
Following a short stint in consulting, Ms. Reid started her broadcast career at a television station in Florida. Ms. Reid has been a morning radio talk show host, worked for former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, and served as managing editor of Th...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Anthony Welters, Executive Chairman, BlackIvy Group and Trustee Emeritus, Morehouse School of Medicine.
Born in Harlem, Mr. Welters is a graduate of Manhattanville College in Harrison, New York and New York University School of Law. In 1989, Mr. Welters founded AmeriChoice Corporation which provided health services to Medicaid patients and w...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Dr. Gary H. Gibbons, Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Gibbons joined the Morehouse School of Medicine in 1999 and founded the Morehouse Cardiovascular Institute. Prior to founding the Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Gibbons served on the faculties of Stanford Unive...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Cynt became the first African American woman to serve as CEO of a team in the National Basketball Association when she was named to the position in 2018. During this conversation, Cynt shared insights she has learned throughout her career. You'll hear about the early influence of her mother who emph...
On today’s episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice sits down with Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer. Join us as we unpack the story behind the decision to invest billions in developing the MRNA vaccine for COVID-19. Dr. Bourla sheds light on the challenges faced, from overcoming skepticism about untested technology to rallying a diverse team in the face of a global crisis.
In this thought...
In this impactful season finale of Danforth Dialogues, host Dr. Creshema Murray, an inclusion storyteller, leadership activist, and media maverick with over eighteen years of experience in advocating for equity and leadership development, revisits the thought-provoking discussions of Season One. She warmly acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice and shares her aspirations for the lasting imprint thi...
Join us in this exciting episode of Danforth Dialogues as Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice welcomes Mayor Andre Dickens, the 61st Mayor of the City of Atlanta. In this episode Mayor Dickens takes us on a captivating journey, sharing the experiences that prepared him to lead one of the most vibrant cities in the United States. From the inspiring "Midnight Basketball" program, which offers a safe haven for young people while providing ess...
In this enlightening episode of Danforth Dialogues, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice welcomes an iconic leader in the energy industry, Chris Womack. Womack made history as the first African American to be named President and CEO of Southern Company, one of the largest utilities in the United States. Starting his career with Southern Company in 1988, he climbed the ladder of success, eventually leading its subsidiary, Georgia Power, as C...
Join Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice as she sits down with Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS). In this inspiring episode of the Danforth Dialogues, they delve into topics including the role of the public sector in helping to expand health equity in underserved communities in the post-covid era.
This is Part 2 of this two-part episode. Listen to Part 1 here.
RESOURCES RELATED T...
Join Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice as she sits down with Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS). In this inspiring episode of the Danforth Dialogues, they delve into topics including the role of the public sector in helping to expand health equity in underserved communities in the post-covid era.
RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
- Learn more about CMS and ...
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