Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice distributes gifts to E.L. Connally Elementary School

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and dean of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), along with members of the faculty and staff distributed gifts to E.L. Connally Elementary School students and teachers Dec. 12.

Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean Dr. Valerie Rice Montgomery speaks to students at E.L. Connally Elementary School as Principal Toni Pickett looks on.  Photo Credit: Morehouse School of Medicine

Before the assembly, students welcomed guests from MSM with a drum performance and presented Dr. Rice with an E.L. Connally hooded sweater – which they insisted that she wear during the event.

“We adopted you all because you will become our children, you will become our astronauts, our nurses, our doctors. We have to start making the investment with you now. Our goal is to build a relationship with you, where you see us as your friends and resources,” said Dr. Montgomery Rice. She also spoke with students about the MSM partnership with E.L. Connally and the importance of furthering their education. “If you keep your love for math and science and do well, you can become an astronaut or teacher or the game designer or the doctor, or the nurse, or the radiology technician. Math and science will give you the ability to do all of that and we at Morehouse School of Medicine will be standing there for you throughout the journey.”

Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean Dr. Valerie Rice Montgomery distributing gift bags to students at E.L. Connally Elementary School.  Photo Credit: Morehouse School of Medicine

Dr. Montgomery Rice presented students with gifts bags, a certificate for a free session at a local skating rink, a check for the school and a personal gift of appreciation to Connally Elementary School Principal Toni Pickett.