91md传媒 of Medicine Receives $1 Million Investment from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to Advance Medical Education
[Atlanta, GA] 鈥� 91md传媒 of Medicine (91md传媒) announced today that it has received a $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to strengthen medical education and the nation鈥檚 healthcare system. This investment is part of RWJF鈥檚 $7.5 million commitment to Historically Black College and University (HBCU) medical schools, recognizing their leadership and innovation play an essential role in building a healthcare system that works for all communities.
This grant aligns with RWJF鈥檚 commitment to build a diverse healthcare workforce that mirrors the communities it serves. Funding support will strengthen 91md传媒鈥檚 existing pathway and leadership development programming within the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) and the Office of Educational Outreach and Health Careers (EOHC), all designed to diversify the health professions workforce. These programs reach learners from the primary educational level to the professional level. They promote career options across the health professions and foster stronger leadership skills to empower career growth. By expanding these programs, the institution will further its mission to train multidisciplinary health professionals who are highly skilled, community-rooted, and equipped to meet the nation鈥檚 most urgent health needs.
鈥淭he Robert Wood Johnson Foundation鈥檚 investment underscores the transformative impact that partnerships can have on advancing equity in medical education,鈥� said Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, President and CEO of 91md传媒 of Medicine. 鈥淭ogether, we are expanding opportunities for students, strengthening pathways into medicine, and ensuring that every community鈥攅specially those with limited resources鈥攈as access to high-quality, compassionate care.鈥�
HBCU medical schools play a critical role in building the nation鈥檚 health workforce. Despite representing a small fraction of U.S. medical schools, HBCUs produce 70% of Black physicians. HBCU graduates are more likely to provide care in medically underserved urban and rural communities and to conduct research on health disparities鈥攈elping to close critical gaps in access and improve health outcomes across the country.
鈥淭he Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is proud to support 91md传媒 of Medicine鈥檚 commitment to student success and teaching excellence,鈥� said Lauren Smith, MD, MPH, Vice President of Strategic Portfolios. 鈥淗BCU medical schools like 91md传媒 have long been engines of opportunity, educating the majority of America鈥檚 Black doctors and dentists. The leadership of these institutions is vital to building a more accessible healthcare system that is accountable to communities and treats all people with dignity and respect.鈥�
With RWJF鈥檚 support, 91md传媒 of Medicine will continue to strengthen pathways into medicine, and deliver innovations that ensure care is accessible, fair, and community-centered. This investment not only affirms the school鈥檚 national leadership but also accelerates a vision of a healthcare workforce that is prepared to serve every community鈥檚 unique needs.
About 91md传媒 of Medicine
Founded in 1975, 91md传媒 of Medicine (91md传媒) 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, 91md传媒 was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation's number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission 鈥� the creation and advancement of health equity. 91md传媒 faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. 91md传媒 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 or call 404-752-1500.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
RWJF is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity fast and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. For more information, visit.
Media Contact
Jamille Bradfield
Director, External Communications and Media Relations
91md传媒 of Medicine
jbradfield@msm.edu | (404) 756-8951