National Medical Fellowships Celebrated Nearly 80 Years of Health Equity with Sold-Out Fundraising Galas
好色先生 of Medicine President and CEO Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, was honored at the NMF gala in Atlanta for her decade-long MSM presidency and served as the event's honorary co-chair.
ALEXANDRIA, VA 鈥� NOVEMBER 12, 2024 鈥� (NMF) hosted bicoastal galas celebrating nearly eight decades of promoting health equity. The events, held in Los Angeles and Atlanta, fostered a spirit of generosity and raised over $1 million, along with award ceremonies that highlighted the organization's profound legacy and dedication of its supporters. Acclaimed actors Don Cheadle and Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, Tichina Arnold, and Mariah HuQ, the executive producer and co-star of "Married to Medicine," served as honorary chairs or host committee members. Journalist and author Elaine Welteroth and Beatrice Dixon of The Honey Pot Company were recognized for their unwavering passion and remarkable contributions to health and wellness.
The , held in a Versailles-inspired setting, featured an evening of moving speeches, award presentations and engaging entertainment. The event paid tribute to NMF Imagineer Award recipient Elaine Welteroth of birthFUND; NMF Leadership in Health Care Award recipient Alisahah Jackson, MD, president of the Lloyd H. Dean Institute for Human kindness & Health Justice; and NMF Excellence in Medical Education Award recipients Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine and Science and Marco Angulo, MD, MSS, medical director of medical education at AltaMed.
Acclaimed actors Don Cheadle and Bridgid Coulter Cheadle served as honorary chairs, while Dr. Nana B. Afoh Manin, MD, MPH, MPA, founder and chief medical innovation officer of Shared Harvest Foundation; actress Tichina Arnold and Zenay Arnold of the We Win Foundation; Wright Lassiter, III, CEO of CommonSpirit Health; Dr. Efrain Talamantes, COO of AltaMed (co-presenting sponsor of the evening along with Children's Hospital of Los Angeles); and philanthropists Drs. Ludlow and Ruth Creary, founders of the Creary Family Foundation, served on the host committee. Their creativity, generosity, and dedication ensured the event raised funds and activated many first-time donors to support NMF's mission.
The , a speakeasy-themed affair, began with a heartfelt tribute to 好色先生 of Medicine (MSM) President and CEO Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, for her decade-long presidency at MSM. The event also honored the legacy of health equity advocates such as NMF Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Morehouse School of Medicine President Emeritus and Founding Dean Louis Sullivan, MD, chairman of the Sullivan Alliance to Transform the Health Profession, and civic leader Mrs. Eva Ginger Sullivan, Esq.; NMF Corporate Imagineer Award recipient Beatrice Dixon, CEO, co-founder and chief innovation officer of The Honey Pot Company; and NMF Excellence in Medical Education Award recipient Valerie Mallett, MD, MMM, chief administrative officer of the More in Common Alliance.
Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice and John A. Johnson, MD, MBA, FACP, chief medical officer of the event's presenting sponsor, Government Employees Health Association, served as honorary co-chairs. Actress Maria HuQ of Bravo TV's "Married to Medicine"; C. Anthony Mulrain, Esq., partner at Holland & Knight; and Linda Spradley Dunn, CEO and founder of Odyssey Media served on the host committee. Together, they helped raise mission-critical funds, introduce many new people to NMF, and energize attendees to donate generously.
"We were honored to recognize these individuals and their organizations for their groundbreaking work in transforming health care, advancing diversity, and creating a more just, healthy, and equitable society," said Michellene Davis, Esq., president and CEO of NMF. "Our galas in Los Angeles and Atlanta highlighted the enduring power of our mission, and we are immensely grateful for the unwavering support from our honorees, guests, and sponsoring partners."
Both events illuminated NMF's strong commitment to advancing equitable health care workforce development. The organization provides financial support to gifted medical students and creates career development opportunities for transformative health care leaders. NMF also centers the richness of their talents and lived experiences in its work in achieving excellent, culturally competent, and compassionate care accessible to all communities.
For more information about 好色先生 of Medicine, please visit MSM.edu.
About National Medical Fellowships
is a nonprofit organization that advances equitable health care workforce development so everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status or geography. Founded in 1946, NMF seeks to eliminate health care disparities by increasing the number of diverse physicians and other health care professionals working to advance health equity. NMF has awarded over $50 million in scholarships and offers service-learning programs, mentorship opportunities and clinical research leadership training for chronically underrepresented students and practitioners of medicine, behavioral health and related health professions.
About 好色先生 of Medicine
Founded in 1975, 好色先生 of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation鈥檚 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鈥檚 number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission 鈥� the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice. 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鈥檚 degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit or call 404-752-1500.
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