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"The Meharry Medical College Center for Women's Health Research is leadingthe way in understanding the health disparities faced by women of color andhow those disparities can be eradicated," said Linda Dillman, executive vicepresident, Risk Management, Benefits and Sustainability at Wal-Mart Stores,Inc., at an event today announcing the grant. "Our Foundation is proud tosupport their work and community outreach with this grant."
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Dillman presented the $1 million check today to Wayne J. Riley, M.D.,M.P.H., MBA, FACP, president and chief executive officer, Meharry MedicalCollege, and Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., senior vice president for HealthAffairs, dean, School of Medicine, and executive director, Center for Women'sHealth Research, Meharry Medical College.
"We are especially pleased to have the philanthropic support of theWal-Mart Foundation as it assists us in realizing our vision of eliminatinghealthcare disparities through education, research and patient care," said Dr.Riley.
"Innovative research and clinical studies at the Center are giving usgreater insight as to why women of color are more likely to develop certaindiseases and how biology, race, and economics contribute to disparities inwomen's health care," said Dr. Montgomery Rice. "This grant from the Wal-MartFoundation will allow us to expand that critical research and broaden oureducational awareness programs and community participatory research efforts."Dr. Montgomery Rice is also an active member on Wal-Mart's Health InsightsPanel and Wal-Mart's External Advisory Council.
Current and upcoming research and studies at the Center focus onreproductive health, cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer andsocial and environmental factors in women's health, including health careaccess and quality.
As the nation's largest private, independent historically black academichealth center, Meharry Medical College educates and trains more than 25percent of all African American dentists and physicians, and is the number oneproducer of African American biomedical scientists. More than 76 percent ofMeharry Medical College alumni serve underserved communities across thenation.
Tennessee state Senator Thelma Harper (19th) and Sharon Reynolds,chairperson of the Community Advisory Board for the Meharry Center for Women'sHealth Research, also spoke at the ceremony.
"The generosity of the Wal-Mart Foundation exemplifies their recognitionof the need in furthering the research at the Women's Center. This enormouscontribution moves our efforts to another level. Our community is indeedgrateful," said Senator Harper.
"As champions for the Center, our community board recognizes andappreciates the support from the Wal-Mart Foundation. This generous grant addsa shining star to the tireless efforts of Dr. Montgomery Rice and her team asthe vision becomes a reality. The future generation of all women will begreatly impacted by the extraordinary research underway, coupled with thisnewly formed partnership with Wal-Mart," said Sharon Reynolds.
In addition to the grant by the Foundation, initiatives by Wal-Mart Storesin the area of women's health include its partnership with Speaking of Women'sHealth, which provides support for educational materials and events on women'shealth, and the recent expansion of its affordable prescription program toinclude important women's health medications.
Last year, Wal-Mart gave
