Why MSM?

Health Equity is MSM’s North Star. Our vision statement is “Leading the creation and advancement of health equity.” The Commonwealth Fund reports more than half of BIPOC, particularly Latinx/o/a and Black Americans, experience poor economic challenges including mental health risks, compared to 21% of white respondents. Consequently, these same populations continue to be unduly burdened by poor health outcomes and experience greater inequities in access to quality care. To that end, MSM’s bold mission is relevant and it is uniquely poised to address the health and wealth gap in the US and the world. While the health care system is broken for underserved individuals and communities of color, MSM is resolute in its guiding principles and core values to eliminate health disparities for people to achieve their optimal level of health.

Advancing Meaningful Partnerships

Recently, CommonSpirit Health and Morehouse School of Medicine formed an integrated academic health center partnership known as the More in Common Alliance that will be a gamechanger in diversifying the health care workforce in America. The development of three undergraduate and four graduate medical education sites will double undergraduate enrolment and increase the number of post-graduate residency and fellowship slots. The announcement launched the first phase of the More in Common Alliance, a 10-year, $100 million initiative to increase cultural competency and expand representation to improve both access and quality of care patients receive. The collaboration will extend to developing research programs to impact illnesses that disproportionately affect minority and underserved communities.

Morehouse School of Medicine has developed initiatives with the NFL (NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative), Microsoft (to be its healthcare provider for its new 100-acre campus), and others to continue to have a broader impact on health in our society. These meaningful partnerships will help advance MSM’s mission and set the framework for sustainable impact and growth.

Human Capital

Morehouse School of Medicine places employees at the center of everything we do in our mission to create and advance health equity in the nation and in the world. Equity, respect, civility, diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary work is at the heart of who we are. We have a team of passionate and committed faculty and staff who are at the center of all we do for our students. MSM has a Chief People Officer and a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer as part of our commitment to our mission and to advancing our human capital strategies, which are predicated on developing, implementing, and monitoring systems which build competency and capacity for justice and inclusive excellence within Morehouse School of Medicine.

Linkages to Care

Morehouse School of Medicine has served as a catalyst for culturally competent, innovative medicine as we have worked to transform medical education, patient care, research, and scientific discovery. At Morehouse School of Medicine, health equity is predicated on giving people what they need, when they need it, and in the amount they need to reach their optimal level of health. This requires us to transcend the traditional role of an academic health center and work directly alongside the communities we serve, innovating against the challenges and issues they face. With this in mind, Morehouse School of Medicine relies heavily on community partners and leaders to provide linkages to care in underserved communities and works alongside government and public officials to usher in a brighter, more equitable future.

CONTEXT FOR RECRUITMENT AND ROLE SUMMARY

Morehouse School of Medicine stands at the vanguard of efforts to achieve health equity for people of color and the underserved in urban and rural populations, to advance a diverse healthcare workforce, and to ensure biomedical discoveries permeate such that all communities can realize the promise of science. As our society broadly reassesses matters of race and equity, reorders priorities, embraces community, and looks to science, medicine, and public policy to extend and improve quality of life, MSM’s critical leadership role has been further highlighted. A wide range of individuals and organizations are carefully evaluating how to best align their philanthropy with the needs of minority populations and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and MSM is well positioned to leverage their partnership and investment. An abundant solution for an abundant need, MSM champions innovative and forward-thinking models that allow every person the access and resources they need to be healthy.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Valerie Montgomery Rice, MSM has established a well-functioning Office of Institutional Advancement to build partnerships and financial support to carry the institution’s bold vision forward. Dr. Montgomery Rice has also launched MSM’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, called IMPACT: The World Needs What We Do Best, which has secured more than $250 million to date toward its $500 million goal. In addition, MSM is seeking to raise $150 million in support of its recently announced partnership with CommonSpirit Health, the first nationwide initiative between two of the country’s leading health organizations to address the underlying causes of health equity.

Amid this favorable backdrop of social consciousness, programmatic expansion, and growing investment, MSM seeks candidates for the Executive Director of Government Relations. This role serves as the chief policy advisor to the President and other senior leadership on issues related to local, state, and federal government. This role is responsible for the development and management of strategies to inform and influence public policy and legislative matters. This role coordinates and cultivates MSM’s relationships with governmental agencies and elected officials at all levels of government. This leader is a key role and liaison with state and national health professionals, health services organizations, and government relationships advocacy entities.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILTIES AND ROLE SUMMARY

Researches, monitors, analyzes, and evaluates legislation and regulatory issues that may have an impact on MSM and advises the President and other senior leadership about such matters on a regular basis.

In coordination with the Dean/Executive Vice President of Health Affairs and the Chief Financial Officer, formulates MSM’s annual legislative agenda to enhance the school’s standing and funding.

Maintains a formal, collaborative relationship with the Office of the Dean/Executive Vice President of Health Affairs and develops and implements a communication program to keep all internal stakeholders informed about governmental issues of direct importance.

Drafts position papers and legislation that accurately reflect the interest of the school and assists in identifying potential state and federal level funding sources.

Drafts legislative and political updates, reports, summaries, and correspondence.

Represents the institution on public policy and legislative issues as well as monitoring legislative hearings.

Engages and provides oversight of consultants hired to represent various aspects of MSM’s government relations functions.

Advocates with members of the Georgia Assembly and US Congress on issues of importance to MSM and confers with state and federal government officials concerning the interests of MSM and the functional impact of proposed legislation, suggesting modifications as appropriate.

Serves as the school’s legislative representative to a broad range of health-related higher education organizations and government entities, including but not limited to: Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Academic Health Centers, the Georgia Hospital Association, Department of Community Health, and Georgia Board for Health Care Workforce.

Manages advocacy response system and leads strategy development.

Maintains database information of current and past elected officials.

Recommends operational changes necessitated by legislative mandates and suggests alternative policies and procedures to enable MSM to accomplish its objectives.

Manages responses to inquiries and requests for information from elected officials.

Coordinates tours and visits of the MSM campus for elected officials.

Works collaboratively with the President’s Chief of Staff to manage and coordinate communications between the President and various stakeholders and constituent groups, preparing and distributing appropriate informational documents and briefing materials, initiating and/or coordinating meetings with various individuals and groups as appropriate; and representing the President at various school external meetings and events.

Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

· Significant experience in governmental and legislative affairs with comprehensive knowledge of state and federal legislative processes.

· Demonstrated success with advocacy and an ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies at all levels of the institution.

· A connection to the state and federal network is needed to achieve goals and have an impact on legislation.

· Affinity with the overall mission of MSM and the understanding of its various enterprises.

· Eligible to register as a lobbyist per Georgia and Federal law.

· Healthcare experience is required as well as experience with completing deadlines in an effective and efficient manner.

· Outstanding written and oral communication skills, listening, and public speaking ability, including the ability to forge and reinforce effective relationships with internal/external constituencies.

· Strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and efficiently with faculty, staff, students, and the general public.

· Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout the state, to Washington DC, and to other locations as required.

Work requires organizational, analytical, and communication skills normally acquired through the completion of a master’s degree in healthcare administration, Public Health, Business Administration or Doctor of Law degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Minimum of seven years of experience in a senior legislative, public policy, or government relations position in the health care field. Preference will be given to those with such experience in a medical school, academic medical center, or teaching hospital.

Experience in a medical school, academic medical center or teaching hospital preferred.

Morehouse School of Medicine is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Georgia State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Morehouse School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.