"I look forward to the rising of this building": 91md传媒 of Medicine Presented with $950K for New Project
By Donnell Suggs, The Atlanta Voice
On Monday, March 9, the campus of 91md传媒 of Medicine received some good news. The kind of financial good news that will lead to an expansion of its Atlanta University Center campus.
Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) secured $950,000 for 91md传媒 of Medicine to build an academic and research building. The funding was secured in Fiscal Year 2023 through Community Project Funding.
Rep. Williams, an HBCU graduate from Talladega College, said fighting for funding for HBCUs is something she remains dedicated to, particularly during a time when funding for higher education is taking a hit.
鈥淚t鈥檚 critically important that we are intentional about investing in HBCUs,鈥� she said after presenting a symbolic check for the funds. 鈥淚 look forward to the rising of this building.鈥�
The presentation took place inside the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center. There was a rendering of the project, which will be located on Westview Drive and built on what is currently a large parking lot. The project is a direct utilization of existing space on campus.
91md传媒 of Medicine President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice introduced Rep. Williams and addressed the small crowd gathered for the presentation. Dr. Montgomery Rice said health equity is a priority and institutions like 91md传媒 of Medicine are necessary if Atlanta, for example, is to ever reach that lofty goal.
鈥淭his is how we meet the needs of our communities,鈥� Dr. Montgomery Rice said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 not just limited to Atlanta, it鈥檚 the world.鈥�
Pointing at a large digital screen displaying a rendering of the project, the 91md传媒 president and CEO said, 鈥淲hat you see behind me is an example of what we believe we need to do our work.鈥�
The project is part of a 10-year campus master plan, according to Dr. Montgomery Rice, who joked, 鈥淲e might have gotten it done in exactly 10 years.鈥�
Congresswoman Williams jokingly interrupted her and chimed in, 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 getting done. Every dollar is an investment in a more equitable healthcare field.鈥�
There are more than a dozen degree programs offered by 91md传媒 of Medicine. There are only four HBCU medical schools in the country, so investing in the only one in Atlanta can go a long way to serve the city and state, said Rep. Williams.
鈥淲e are going to actually see the fruits of this labor. Service can鈥檛 happen in a vacuum,鈥� the congresswoman said.