Race awareness, criminal justice and regional issues are just some of the topics Debra Houry, MD, MPH, associate professor in the department of emergency medicine and Jada Bussey-Jones MD, associate professor of medicine at Emory University will learn about as part of the 2013 Leadership Atlanta Class.
For more than 40 years, a network of distinguished alumni has helped Leadership Atlanta fulfill its mission of building a better metro Atlanta community by inspiring leadership committed to service.
"I'm excited about the chance to extend the work of the Emory Center for Injury Control into the community as well as being able to directly impact some pressing issues in our region through this opportunity," says Houry, director for the CDC funded Injury Control Research Center. The Emory Center for Injury Control is one of 11 centers in the nation and one of two university based WHO centers on violence prevention and trauma.
"I am grateful for this unique opportunity to bring minority health and healthcare disparities to forefront for discussion among leaders of the Atlanta community," says Bussey-Jones who serves as the director of the Primary Care Center at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The 2013 program which kicked off in late August with a 3 day retreat at Camp Twin Lakes comprises 80 participants representing a diverse cross-section of metro Atlanta. The program runs through April and includes a monthly all day session tackling Atlanta's critical issues such as transportation, health care, and race relations. Participants continue the dialogue through study groups and take part in a community service project.
Throughout the year, members of the class are given unique on the job training opportunities like a ride-along with an Atlanta police officer and observing a 911 operator. A series of "CEO roundtables" provide intimate, off-the-record conversations with Atlanta's most prominent local CEOs, politicians, and other leaders.
Current sponsors of Leadership Atlanta include UPS/UPS Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Inc., The Coca-Cola Foundation, American Family Insurance, Verizon Wireless, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia Power and The Home Depot.