Alma Powell provides keynote lecture at Morehouse School of Medicine
2/26/2010
America's Promise Alliance Chair Alma J. Powell served as the keynote speaker the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) 18th Annual Roland B. Scott, M.D. Lectureship February 25 in Atlanta. In 1981 Morehouse School of Medicine became an independently chartered institution and the first medical school established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20th century. MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. Faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, and are known in the community for exceptional, culturally appropriate patient care.
Mrs. Powell acknowledged the tremendous impact those in the medical profession have on young people and reflected on the fact that too many children don’t get regular healthcare because of a lack of insurance, the recent rise in teen pregnancy and increased rate of infant mortality.
But her primary message was to remind the medical students in attendance that they can, and should, play a key role in stemming the dropout crisis, pointing out that for students of color, the odds of graduating from high scholar are just one in two.
“But I believe that you, as African American students in a great African American university — and as future physicians who will become leaders of your communities — have a special calling,” said Mrs. Powell. “And so I challenge you today to follow Dr. Scott’s example. I am not asking you to change your planned medical specialty. But I am challenging you to change your thinking and to get involved. The dropout epidemic is insidiously stalking our youth — and none more disastrously than Hispanic and African American children.”
The Roland B. Scott, M.D. Lectureship was named in honor and recognition of a world-renowned medical educator, researcher, and physician. Dr. Scott, a highly regarded pediatrician, was the first chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Howard University College of Medicine. His career is distinguished by his research and advocacy in sickle cell disease.
"Aligned with MSM's mission, the Roland B. Scott, M.D. Lectureship honors a pioneer and innovator in the area of minority health care and medical education who had an impact on research in the community. Our guest lecturers have distinguished themselves similarly," says Dr. Frances J. Dunston, chair of the Department of Pediatrics. "This year's lecturer, Alma Powell, is a major voice of advocacy and leadership on behalf of America's children."
Powell is the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Human Letters from Emerson College, an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Shenandoah University and the Civic Change Award from the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. She has also been honored by Washingtonian magazine as Washingtonian of the Year and is the recipient of the Leadership Award from the Women's Center in Virginia.
She is also the author of two children's books, "My Little Wagon," and "America's Promise," which were published in 2003.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., and studied speech pathology and audiology at Emerson College in Boston, Mass.
Powell closed with the following statement:
“The choice we face today is simple. Our nation’s health is at risk. If we are to remain a great nation, we must be a Grad Nation,” said. Powell. “It is not a question of whether we have the power. It is only a question of whether our nation has the will. Let us respond with the answer our children are counting on: We have the will. And we will make a difference.”