Page 17 - msmannualreport_3_14_17

Living the Mission
When global health issues such as the sudden 2014 Ebola outbreak or lingering health care issues
such as mental health and HIV/AIDS continue to affect many populations here and abroad,
SHLI is at the forefront of public health policy, education, prevention and leading a sea change in
global health equity.

Framed by programs unique to SHLI, such as the Community Health Leadership Program and
the SHLI Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program, the institute has achieved
distinction through bold, pioneering programs and initiatives that have drawn national
attention to pressing health issues such as mental health.

One of the institute’s most notable initiatives is the creation of The Kennedy Center for Mental
Health Policy and Research. Through a partnership with The Kennedy Forum, the Center is
reshaping and redefining approaches to addressing mental health and addiction in America. In
2016, Dr. Satcher and Patrick J. Kennedy introduced the groundbreaking initiative “The System
We Need,” a blueprint for change that represents more than two years of foundational work with
the healthcare community, and is symbolic of the mission of the collaboration.

Another example of leading-edge work being produced by multidisciplinary research team, led
by Dr. Holden, is called “THRIVE” (Towards Health Recovery and Integrated Vital Engage-
ment), which has a goal of supporting the reduction of health and mental disparities.

“The research team is very engaged in mental health, particularly in the African-American
community and in underserved populations,” said Dr. Holden. “THRIVE is in keeping with the
SHLI mission and the MSM vision, as it aims to promote overall culturally-centered integrated
care among African Americans, as well as inform health care policies.”

Another innovative SHLI initiative is the Integrated Care Leadership program, which launched
in January 2016. The program is designed to provide clinical and administrative health care
professionals with the knowledge and training to develop integrated care practices that can be
replicated anywhere in the world. Prior to this program, SHLI had already cemented an
unparalleled role in developing new health leaders.

Focusing on Global Health Equity
Satcher states that the vision is for the institute’s impact in health equity to be global, which is
why developing global health leaders is a primary focus for SHLI, one that he believes will be
among the institute’s greatest impacts.

“When someone with a M.D. or a Ph.D. leaves our program and goes on to establish a similar
program in a different community, county or country, SHLI is contributing to the change that
will take place in the healthcare of those populations,” he said. “This is how we will begin to
achieve global health equity.”

Morehouse School of Medicine | Annual Report | 2016 17