August 16, 2012

Hill named to health care disparity effort

George C. Hill, Ph.D., professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Education and Administration, Emeritus, has been asked to become an inaugural member of a national group of scholars that will work to address health disparities through research and mentoring.

George C. Hill, Ph.D., professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Education and Administration, Emeritus, has been asked to become an inaugural member of a national group of scholars that will work to address health disparities through research and mentoring.

George C. Hill, Ph.D.

Hill was invited by the W. Montague Cobb/Health Institute to join the National Medical Association (NMA) Health Institute Senior Fellows Program. The Cobb Institute recently announced the fellows initiative, developed to address issues of urgent health disparity mainly through research, but also through clinical care and mentoring.

The Cobb Institute also said it plans to launch a new journal devoted to ethnic health disparities later this year. As a Senior Fellow, Hill would serve as a member of the editorial board for the publication.

“I am proud to be part of a network of mentors that will work nationally to assist minority students and faculty in their career goals,” Hill said. “I look forward to colleagues here at Vanderbilt also being invited to participate, as they have much to offer.”

The NMA launched the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute in 2004 to develop, evaluate and implement strategies to promote wellness and eliminate health disparities and racism in medicine.

The launching of the fellows program, with Hill among its inaugural members, is the first step in development of a three-tier program.

Senior Fellows form the top tier, followed by Active Fellows and then Associates, who will benefit from mentorship from the more senior scientists and physicians.

Hill recently announced his upcoming retirement as assistant vice chancellor for Multicultural Affairs and special assistant to the provost and vice chancellor for Health Affairs in order to pursue special interests.

He is currently serving on the advisory boards of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, N.J., and the Fogarty/NIH International Scientific Advisory Board, mentoring students and faculty through Leadership Excellence LLC and spending more time with his family.