Emory Impact Report

As a leading research university, Emory University never stands still. Explore how students, faculty, staff, healthcare professionals, and alumni across generations are making a collective impact that helps sustain and improve communities around the world. Click to see the Impact Report.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

On May 6, President Claire E. Sterk presented at a Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting. She discussed Emory’s impact in the state of Georgia, our ongoing work to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, and our commitment to partnering with the business community. After the President’s presentation, a link to Emory’s new Impact Report was e-mailed to all Chamber members.

CDC/Emory Congressional Briefing

On May 3, Emory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosted about 25 healthcare staffers at a congressional briefing, “Fighting Ebola: Past Lessons for Current Challenges.” The CDC and Emory have continued to partner and build upon the lessons learned during the 2014 ebola outbreak. This partnership, from Africa to Atlanta, addresses infectious diseases at the source, teaches our healthcare workforce how to safely care for themselves and their patients, and develops new treatments to mitigate the evolving infectious disease threat.

The panel included, from left to right: Dr. Jeff Koplan, VP for Global Health, Emory University; Dr. Robert Redfield, Director, CDC; Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director, CDC; Dr. Colleen Kraft, Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University.

Federal Appropriations

The difference between a Democratic-led House and Republican-led Senate is illuminated by their approach to the annual appropriations process. Despite no clear agreement on top-line budget numbers, House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY) has already advanced 25% of all appropriations bills through the full committee process. Meanwhile, the Senate is hoping to come to an agreement on budget numbers before advancing appropriations bills.

While funding levels in the House are much higher than expected and will likely not remain as high after House-Senate conference committees meet, many Emory priorities are in a great position to begin negotiations.

Earlier this week, House Appropriators finalized the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education language. This is the largest funding bill and passed on party lines. Major wins include more than $8.25 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and over $41 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Those funding levels amount to increases of $1 billion for the CDC, and $2 billion for the NIH, from current year funding. Other priorities include $11 million for the National Ebola Training and Education Center and language supporting reimbursement for Academic Health Centers who treat patients with serious communicable diseases. We expect the bill to come to the House floor after the Memorial Day recess.

We hear the Senate is prepared to mark up their legislation the first week of June. The federal government runs out of money on Oct 1, 2019 so Congress either needs to pass new appropriations bills into law or pass a Continuing Resolution, which will extend current funding into FY2020.

Emory CCE End of Year Celebration

Members of the Emory OGCA team supported the Emory Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCE) during its End-of-Year Annual Celebration. Alan Anderson, Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships, delivered the keynote address and talked about pivotal life moments that led him to develop an interest in community service. Kendra Price, Government Affairs Manager, was awarded the Civic & Community Engagement Award for her service and partnership with CCE, its students and programs, especially in South East Dekalb County. CCE engages 200+ community partners, and almost 1,700 volunteers giving more than 25,000 hours of service.

Speak What Must Be Spoken Traveling Exhibit

On May 6, members of the Emory’s OGCA team and Emory’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement visited King Middle School to view the traveling exhibit Speak What Must Be Spoken. While viewing the exhibit and completing the accompanying curricular materials, the middle school students are encouraged to consider the importance of speaking out against injustices. This exhibit was born out of a collaborative effort between Emory’s Graduation Generation and the Emory Woodruff Library and is an example of our partnership in the Atlanta community and the importance of art in our local schools.

Congressman Johnson’s Art Competition

Each spring, Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) hosts a high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in his congressional district. On April 27, students from 4 high schools were recognized at a ceremony where $71,000 in scholarships, from the Art Institute of Atlanta and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), was distributed to 4 high school students. Judges for the art competition included Kendra Price, OGCA’s Government Affairs Manager; Robert Trammell (D-132), State Representative; Rob Turner, Stonecrest City Councilman; Meg Williams, Coordinator of School and Teacher Services at the High Museum; and David Cardwell, III artist/Georgia State Student.