Macon High School Graduate to College President

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The incoming President of Morehouse College School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice met with students and residents, Friday during a free health fair held at Southwest High school.

United Way of Central Georgia’s Promise Neighborhood Initative sponsored the event along with Bibb County Schools and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

“We wanted to make sure that our residents were aware of the various medical resources in the community, many of them might not know about, the Macon Volunteer Clinic, for example, that helps unisured working individuals,” says Sarah Roche, Director of Community Engagemnet for Promise Neighborhood of United Way.

Morehouse medical staff pricked fingers and checked blood pressures. They also advised fair attendees of potential health problems.

Rice is a Southwest High school graduate. She says her high school days as the class president of her senior class, and being a cheerleader laid the foundation for her success.

“My time at Southwest really had a significant impact on me,” says Rice. “Because that’s where I learned to be a leader.”

Dr. Rice was presented with a key to the city by Macon Mayor, Robert Reichert, during the speciial luncheon at The Promise Center, located at 1780 Anthony Road. 

“She serves as an inspiration, and as a reminder through our public education system you can be prepared to do anything you want,” said Mayor Reichert, during the presentation.

Dr. Rice is Morehouse School of Medicine, Dean and Executive Vice President, an obgyn, and a fertility specialist.

“I would not be any of those things if I had not leverage the educational opportunities put forth for me here in Macon, and then on through college at Georgia Tech and at Harvard Medical school,” added Dr. Rice.