SR871: SR871 Rice, Dr. Valerie Montgomery; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, a Georgia native who serves as the sixth President and Chief Executive Officer of the Morehouse School of Medicine and the first woman to lead the institution. The resolution walks through her education and career, including degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School, her residency at Emory University School of Medicine, and her prior leadership roles, including founding director of the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College. It also lists honors she has received and her advocacy for health equity. The Senate formally commends her and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for her.

• Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice for her leadership at the Morehouse School of Medicine and her career in medicine and research.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Montgomery Rice.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial honor rather than a policy change.

The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice and, by extension, the Morehouse School of Medicine. It has no regulatory or financial effect on any other individuals, businesses, or agencies in Georgia.

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights, obligations, or funding. Its practical effect is symbolic: a formal statement from the Georgia Senate publicly recognizing her career and contributions to health equity.

• The resolution's whereas clauses detail Dr. Montgomery Rice's education, career history, and honors, including her role as founding director of the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College.
• The resolved clause has the Senate formally commend her for her leadership and contributions to medicine, medical education, research, and health equity.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to her.

1. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)

• Morehouse School of Medicine
• health equity
• legislative commendation
• medical education