Today we celebrate what would have been the 133rd birthday of Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) benefactor and visionary philanthropist Robert W. Woodruff, former president and chairman of the Coca-Cola Company. For nearly 50 years, Woodruff’s extraordinary commitment to transforming health and healing was evident in his ongoing generosity in support of building a preeminent education, research, and patient care center at Emory and for Atlanta, Georgia, and beyond. Throughout his long life, he gave nearly $350 million to charity, including $230 million to Emory, much of which enabled the establishment and growth of WHSC, including the founding of the Emory Clinic and the Winship Cancer Institute. His legacy continues through the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which seeks to improve the quality of life in Georgia by investing in health, education, economic opportunity, and community vitality.
In honor of Woodruff’s legacy of leadership, service, and lifelong learning, we are proud to introduce the Woodruff Leadership Academy (WLA) 2023 Fellows.
In 2003, WHSC launched WLA in honor of Woodruff and in recognition of his superb leadership ability. The program develops leadership competencies and collaboration needed in an academic health center, as well as the interpersonal, communications, and presentation skills necessary to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing landscape in medical research, education, and health care. The screening process for this prestigious program is extremely selective, and the WLA Fellows are chosen from a large pool of stellar candidates each year.
To quote Woodruff, “There is no way that any organization or individual, at any stage of its life, can sit back, rest on its laurels, and be content to collect the rewards already won.” The WLA 2023 Fellows strongly embody his commitment to personal and professional growth. Although they are already incredibly accomplished, they recognize that there is always more to learn and that we can all become stronger leaders than we are today.
Congratulations and the best to the 21st WLA class as they help the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and Emory University advance Woodruff’s vision of improving quality of life for the people we serve, providing value to our patients and the community, increasing Atlanta’s job opportunities and economic growth, and ensuring continued health and prosperity for the city, the region, and beyond. On his desk sat a quote: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”
Please direct questions and comments to evphafeedback@emory.edu.
David S. Stephens, MD
Interim Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Interim Executive Director of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center | 
