Atlanta - Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) has launched a unique society with a two-fold purpose: to pay tribute to the vision and driving force behind the establishment of MSM, and to honor the generosity of its members.

The first Gloster Society Dinner took place March 26, 2008 as a way to honor the extraordinary support of MSM donors. The evening included an opportunity for Gloster Society Charter members to interact with some of the medical school's outstanding faculty, staff and students. The event was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta.

The Hugh M. Gloster Society is named in honor of Dr. Hugh M. Gloster, who, along with Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, was a motivating force in helping create the internationally recognized Atlanta-based medical school. MSM President Dr. John E. Maupin Jr. and MSM Chief Surgical Resident Dr. April L. Spencer presented Mrs. Yvonne King Gloster, wife of the late Dr. Hugh M. Gloster, with special honors. Music by international recording artist Freddy Cole and the introduction of the first MSM alma mater - created by renowned composer Jerry E. Peters - also were highlights of the evening.

Some attendees included Gloster Charter members Hank and Billye Aaron and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. Representatives for title sponsors Fifth Third Bank, MAG Mutual and The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, and MSM board of trustees members, including Judge Greg Mathis (of the nationally syndicated " Judge Mathis" Show) were present in support of the event.

Hugh M. Gloster Society
The Gloster Society was established to help build philanthropy and to acknowledge exceptional generosity to the fund. Unrestricted gifts are used to support needs not met by other institutional funding, including student scholarships, facility improvements, technology enhancements and library upgrades.

The Gloster Society recognizes individuals with unrestricted annual gifts of $1,000, $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 to the Morehouse School of Medicine Annual Fund. Corporate and foundation donors may become members by making annual contributions to the Annual Fund of $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000.

Hugh M. Gloster
Having experienced success as an administrator, teacher, writer, speaker, USO wartime executive and as an American representative of educational programs in foreign countries, Dr. Hugh M. Gloster is most remembered for his successes while serving as the seventh president of Morehouse College, his alma mater, from 1967 to 1987. It was during Gloster's tenure as president that Morehouse School of Medicine became a reality.

In 1973, Morehouse College conducted a study on the feasibility of a two-year medical training program for students who would later work among minorities and the poor. The study revealed a severe shortage of minority doctors and, in general, a shortage of doctors in rural and inner-city areas. Research also showed that an alarming number of Americans had no access to basic health care in their own communities - Georgia being high on the list.

Gloster deemed it necessary to establish a medical school on the campus of Morehouse College to address the shortage of minority doctors in Georgia and the nation. In response to the study, the National Medical Association (NMA) endorsed the development of a medical school at Morehouse College. Support came from the Georgia State Medical Association (GSMA), the Georgia General Assembly, the Carnegie Council and other organizations. In 1975, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan was recruited by Gloster to serve as the founding dean and director of the Medical Education Program.