Morehouse School of Medicine to Honor the Late Henry "Hank" Aaron with Bridge and Plaza Dedication
Events will posthumously celebrate one of Morehouse School of Medicine's greatest champions and supporters.
ATLANTA – MAY 15, 2023 – Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) will host the Chasing the Dream: Hank Aaron Bridge & Plaza Dedication on Thursday, May 18, 2023, to posthumously honor one of the institution's greatest champions and supporters, the late Henry "Hank" Aaron.
In addition to his legendary career as a Major League Baseball (MLB) player, which included breaking Babe Ruth's homerun record in 1974, Mr. Aaron was an Atlanta Braves senior executive, businessman, civil rights advocate, and philanthropist. Mr. Aaron and his wife, Mrs. Billye Suber Aaron, have been generous longtime benefactors of Morehouse School of Medicine. Additionally, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron have each received the institution's highest honor, the Louis C. Brown Vanguard Award.
As a lasting tribute to Mr. Aaron's legacy, MSM officials will gather with members of the Aaron family and local civic leaders at 6 p.m. EDT on May 18 for the official renaming ceremony for the Hank Aaron Bridge. Formerly the Lee Street Bridge, the bridge is located where Lee Street SW crosses over Interstate 20 between Park Street SW and Oak Street SW. The event will include the unveiling of a mural celebrating Mr. Aaron's life.
Immediately following the bridge dedication, a ribbon cutting will be held for the Hank Aaron Plaza on the Morehouse School of Medicine Campus. The plaza features a newly commissioned statue of Mr. Aaron located directly outside the Billye Suber Aaron Pavilion.
Details
What: Dedication ceremonies for the Hank Aaron Bridge along Lee Street SW over Interstate 20 and Hank Aaron Plaza on the Morehouse School of Medicine campus
When: Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 6 p.m. EDT
Where: Interstate 20 overpass on east side of Lee Street SW (between Park Street SW and Oak Street SW), Atlanta, GA 30310. Following the bridge ceremony, MSM will dedicate the new Hank Aaron Plaza at the intersection of Westview Drive SW and Lee Street SW.
Who:
- Billye Suber Aaron, philanthropist and widow of Henry "Hank" Aaron
- Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, Morehouse School of Medicine President and CEO
- Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
- Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05)
- Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners
- Commissioner Natalie Hall, Fulton County, District 4
- Councilmember Jason Dozier, Atlanta City Council, District 4
- Abiola Akintola, sculptor
- Muhammad Yungai, art of yungai
For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, please visit MSM.edu.
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. Morehouse School of Medicine's 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.
Contact
Jamille Bradfield
Morehouse School of Medicine
jbradfield@msm.edu