Atlanta - The Satcher Healthcare Leadership Institute (SHLI) of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is the recipient of the largest grant ever approved by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. The $580,000 gift was announced in April 2008 and granted to SHLI to address health disparities and health workforce shortages in Georgia.

"We are deeply grateful to the leadership and board of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation for their commitment to improving the health of Georgians and for the confidence they have shown in the Satcher Health Leadership Institute of Morehouse School of Medicine. This three-year grant comes at a critical time in the development of SHLI/MSM and will greatly assist us in developing our fellowship program, our undergraduate teaching program and our leadership consultation and conference program - all geared toward preparing leaders for the elimination of disparities in health," said SHLI Director Dr. David Satcher.

The objectives of the 36-month award include the development of the SHLI leadership and fellows program, including the development of corresponding curriculum for each area by June 2009; development and implementation of an organizational structure and sustainability plan to support SHLI beyond the grant period; recruitment and training of four SHLI fellows in year two, with four more fellows in year three of the grant. It also provides for partnership with educational institutions and nonprofit health organizations in Georgia, outside metropolitan Atlanta, to promote the Webinar and statewide forums on health disparities.

About the Satcher Health Leadership Institute

SHLI's mission is to develop a diverse core of public health and medical leaders committed to the elimination of disparities in health and emphasizing the role of a balanced community health system - a system that balances health promotion, disease prevention, early detection and universal access to healthcare.

About Healthcare Georgia Foundation

Healthcare Georgia Foundation is a statewide, private independent foundation located in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1999, the Foundation's mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.