ATLANTA, June 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Today Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) President John E. Maupin Jr., D.D.S. announced his planned retirement, closing a celebrated tenure and an over 30-year accomplished career in academic medicine, healthcare administration and public health. Effective July 1, 2014, after the end of the upcoming academic year, Dr. Maupin will be succeeded by Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., a Harvard-educated obstetrician and gynecologist, who was named as executive vice president and dean in 2011. Dr. Montgomery Rice will retain the position of dean when she becomes president next year. With this announcement, Dr. Montgomery Rice becomes the nation's first African-American woman to lead a free-standing medical school as chief executive officer. As dean, she will continue amongst the ranks of the 16 percent of women serving as dean leading academic medical institutions.

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In 2010, the MSM board of trustees approved a new leadership structure that would merge the roles of dean and president upon Dr. Maupin's retirement. This new structure is consistent with a recent trend among the nation's medical schools-- elevating the role of dean to chief executive officer while retaining chief academic officer responsibilities.

"We are appreciative for the service and superior leadership Dr. Maupin displayed during his seven-year tenure as president," said Anthony Welters, chairman of MSM's board of trustees, executive vice president of United Health Group and member of the office of the CEO. "Under Dr. Maupin's guidance, the school has made significant advances, expanding academic programs and clinical affiliations, creating innovative partnerships, modernizing facilities, and strengthening the infrastructure to better support research, patient care and teaching."

Mr. Welters went on to explain, "The board of trustees is confident that the carefully orchestrated succession plan helps to maintain business continuity, provide a seamless transition, and help to facilitate Dr. Montgomery Rice's success as the next leader."

"During her tenure as dean, Dr. Montgomery Rice demonstrated her commitment to the mission and vision of the medical school," said Art R. Collins, chairman of the board of trustees' committee on transition and founding partner of the Collins Johnson Group. "In our selection of Dr. Montgomery Rice as dean, the trustees looked at a long-term strategy. We believed the dean could ascend to leading the medical school and her current role would provide the necessary consistency to continue advancing the mission."

A native of Macon, Ga., Dr. Montgomery Rice, served in numerous leadership positions at some of the nation's most prestigious academic and health institutions. Dr. Montgomery Rice received an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Georgia Institute of Technology, a medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and completed her training in obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University Medical School and reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Hutzel Hospital in Detroit. A renowned infertility expert and nationally recognized clinical scientist, Dr. Montgomery Rice also served on numerous professional and scientific advisory panels, national industry boards and authored more than 50 medical research articles.

"I consider it an honor that our board is entrusting me with the responsibility of continuing to build on the legacy of this pre-eminent institution," said Dr. Montgomery Rice. "The vision is crystal clear. My role is to continue to further the mission while also positioning the school to remain relevant and at the forefront of an ever-changing medical education environment."

During the next year, the two leaders will continue to enhance key partnerships, advance development and philanthropic outreach, and maintain a focus on faculty and staff engagement.

Upon retirement, Dr. Maupin plans to continue to serve on corporate and civic boards. "Being a part of the growth and development of Morehouse School of Medicine has been a remarkable experience," said Dr. Maupin. "Much about MSM is highly distinctive, but what makes it so special is the extraordinarily dedicated faculty and staff, community-focused students, and committed trustees and alumni."

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Morehouse School of Medicine Announces Leadership Transition