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Fifty years ago, a bold idea took root in Atlanta—a vision to transform healthcare education and extend its reach to communities that were often overlooked. Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), now a global leader in health equity, began as a modest two-year medical education program in a trailer on Morehouse College's campus. What seemed like a humble beginning has since blossomed into an institution renowned for its commitment to excellence, innovation and service.

The MSM story is one of resilience and purpose. In the late 1960s, Dr. Louis Brown, an Atlanta internist, proposed the creation of a new medical school to the leaders of the Atlanta University Center. His idea gained traction, and with the support of the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation and a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health, the groundwork for a medical program began. By 1975, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, a Morehouse graduate and distinguished hematologist, was recruited to lead the new program. His vision was clear: diversify the healthcare workforce and provide primary care in underserved urban and rural areas.

MSM’s first class of 24 students arrived in 1978, starting their journey in a two-year program that allowed them to transfer to four-year institutions to complete their education. By 1985, the institution had become an independent, fully accredited four-year medical school. The trajectory of its growth was a testament to its mission—to serve the underserved and to ensure that quality health care was a right, not a privilege.

Today, Morehouse School of Medicine stands as a beacon of hope and progress. MSM has made an indelible impact on health care in Georgia and beyond. About 60% of its physicians practice in the state, addressing critical needs in both rural and urban communities. The institution’s research initiatives, spanning maternal health, genomics, cancer, and cardiovascular studies, are driving transformative changes for individuals and communities all over the world.

President and CEO Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, reflects on this journey with pride and optimism. “From our founding in 1975 to the world-renowned institution we are today, Morehouse School of Medicine has reshaped health care, education, and research. As we celebrate the impact of the past 50 years, we look to the future with a renewed commitment to innovation and service.”

Morehouse School of Medicine's golden anniversary is an opportunity to honor the advancements that brought MSM to this point. Events throughout the year will celebrate its legacy, from scholarly symposiums to heartfelt gatherings that bring the MSM community together. These moments of reflection and connection underscore the institution’s unwavering dedication to its mission.

As MSM moves into its next chapter, the story it writes will be guided by the same principles that shaped its beginning—a commitment to health equity, a passion for innovation and a promise to serve. From a trailer on Morehouse College’s campus to a leading institution recognized for fulfilling a social mission, MSM’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with vision and determination.

About the Author

Zipporah Dorsey is a program coordinator with a passion for creative communication. She is storyteller at heart who believes every person has a story, and she is dedicated to bringing those narratives to life through creativity and collaboration.

Contact

Zipporah Dorsey
Program Coordinator
Office of Impact & Innovation
zdorsey@msm.edu