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MSM Grads Begin Residency Journeys with Complimentary Elite Status from Hyatt and American Airlines

ATLANTA -- (MAY 27, 2021) -- Graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 from Morehouse School of Medicine received more than their degrees when they walked across the stage at the 37th Commencement Exercises on May 15. With a shared focus on celebrating the diversity of their workforces, travelers, guests, and communities, American Airlines and Hyatt are coming together to provide MSM graduates with complimentary Executive Platinum elite status in the American Airlines AAdvantage® loyalty program and Globalist elite status in Hyatt’s World of Hyatt loyalty program for one year. This includes students who earned the Doctor of Medicine degree, Master of Public Health, and students from the Graduate Education Biomedical Sciences who earned their PhD.

“Morehouse School of Medicine’s graduates are the healthcare leaders our nation needs most — those dedicated to primary care, health equity, and serving the underserved,” said President Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine. “They also tend to come from more challenging socioeconomic backgrounds than their peers, and face higher levels of student debt. These gifts from American Airlines and Hyatt will allow these graduates to travel and make a difference in the world.”

American Celebrates Diversity on the Ground and in the Air

American proudly celebrates the diversity of their team members and customers, working hard to create an open, inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds feel welcome. American recently hired new team members from over a dozen historically black colleges and universities and actively recruit on these college campuses. American was also recently named to the Diversity Best Practices 2020 Inclusion Index, which recognizes top companies and organizations engaging in effective practices of diversity and inclusion.

 “We’re honored to bestow Executive Platinum status, our highest public elite tier, to the Morehouse School of Medicine graduating doctors of 2020 and 2021,” said Rick Elieson, president of the AAdvantage program. “For more than 40 years, American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program has connected members around the world with exciting and rewarding travel experience. We celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments as they take this next step in their professional journeys and the positive impact they will have upon the world.”

American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum Status

AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite members receive benefits such as priority check-in and boarding, up to three free checked bags, automatic space-available complimentary upgrades, and their choice of two elite choice rewards, which can be redeemed for an Admirals Club membership, a discount on future travel, bonus AAdvantage miles or other options to make travel more enjoyable. And as automatic Emerald tier members of the oneworld® alliance, Executive Platinum members are eligible for exclusive benefits to make their journeys more comfortable no matter where their travels take them around the world on partner airlines. Learn more about the AAdvantage loyalty program on American’s website.

Hyatt’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) are at the core of Hyatt’s purpose – to care for people so they can be their best – and Hyatt has taken many steps to integrate DE&I into its business operations. Building on its longstanding commitment to fostering inclusive environments for all individuals, in June 2020, Hyatt announced its Change Starts Here commitments that focus on accelerating DE&I efforts through three key areas – talent Hyatt employs, develops and advances; organizations Hyatt supports; and organizations that Hyatt buys from and partners with. With actionable 2025 goals for each of these focus areas, Hyatt remains committed to driving meaningful change across its workforce, communities, and the travel industry as a whole.

“As a purpose-driven organization rooted in care, Hyatt is deeply committed to creating an inclusive culture where all colleagues and guests feel welcome and like they belong,” said Tyronne Stoudemire, global vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “There is a tremendous opportunity to make travel a more inclusive experience for all individuals and we are focused on actions that support our vision for a world of understanding and care. We recognize that meaningful change requires a collective responsibility. That’s why we are thrilled to come together with American Airlines to celebrate MSM’s 2021 doctorate graduates with World of Hyatt Globalist status, as a way to extend utmost care throughout their travel journeys ahead.” 

World of Hyatt Globalist Status

Globalist status is World of Hyatt’s top elite membership tier. Globalists can enjoy valuable benefits at 1,000+ properties worldwide across 19 brands like Andaz, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Centric, Thompson Hotels and more. Benefits include 30% Bonus Points on eligible purchases, waived resort fees on eligible rates and free night awards, room upgrades (as available at check-in) including Standard Suites, late checkout, premium internet, the ability to share benefits with your Guest of Honor and more. Globalists also have access to exclusive benefits across World of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty relationships, including its alliance with American Airlines AAdvantage, offering elite members in both programs the opportunity to earn points and miles for Hyatt stays and American Airlines flights. For more information on Globalist benefits, visit the World of Hyatt Tiers & Benefits page.

About Morehouse School of Medicine

Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master’s degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call 404-752-1500.

About American Airlines

American’s purpose is to care for people on life’s journey. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company offering 20 premier brands. As of March 31, 2021, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,000 hotel, all-inclusive, and wellness resort properties in 68 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top employees, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries operate, manage, franchise, own, lease, develop, license, or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt™, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, tommie™, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.