Training Hospital for Morehouse Medical School Students Needs a Cash Infusion: Fate of the Black Medical School Hangs in the Balance

The Grady Health System operates the largest publicly funded hospital in Georgia. But Grady has lost money every year since the turn of the century and has accumulated large debt. Fulton County, which includes the city of Atlanta, and DeKalb County contribute $100 million annually to subsidize Grady’s operation but the hospital says it needs a cash infusion of about $120 million to remain financially viable.

The issue is of particular importance because Grady, which treats 1 million patients each year, is the main training facility for Morehouse School of Medicine, the historically black medical school in Atlanta. John Maupin, president of the medical school, warns that if Grady were to close, Morehouse School of Medicine might also have to close.

Copyright © 2007. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.