For Immediate Release

June 5, 2008

Contact:  Gayle Converse 404-756-6701 gconverse@msm.edu

Morehouse School of Medicine Student Receives Presidential Award

Atlanta - Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) fourth-year medical student LeThenia Joy Baker received a first time honor from President George W. Bush. Learn and Serve America, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, presented Baker with the President's Award for Community Service June 2, 2008, in Atlanta.

"I am excited about the opportunities afforded me at Morehouse School of Medicine. The mission of my school is to "serve the underserved" and my institution focuses on assuring that we are involved in the community. This goes hand-in-hand with my passion for serving my community and being an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves," said Baker.

According to Amy B. Cohen, director of Learn and Serve America, the Corporation for National and Community Service, Baker is the only medical student ever to receive this award.

Baker also is an American Achievement Academy All-American Scholar, a Morehouse School of Medicine Merit Scholar and is the past recipient of the Atlanta Medical Association Outstanding Scholar Award.

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