Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine and first woman to lead as president and CEO, cuts through the noise with her refreshingly direct approach to diversifying healthcare.

"If Morehouse School of Medicine is not part of the DEI story, I don't know what the DEI story is," Dr. Rice says, refusing to back down from her mission despite today's challenging climate. She brings receipts too—showing exactly how diversity in medicine delivers measurable benefits in economic impact, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.

Dr. Rice shares her practical wisdom for staying focused when leadership gets tough: "Sometimes you have to put on blinders so you don't become distracted and put earplugs in and only turn up the volume for things that are gonna keep you moving forward." She emphasizes the importance of regular connection with those she serves, keeping her calendar open on Friday afternoons for 15-minute conversations with anyone who needs to speak with her.

Her journey from rural Georgia to the pinnacle of medical leadership is remarkable—transitioning from a degree in chemical engineering to attending Harvard Medical School after realizing she needed to follow her own path rather than others' expectations. This willingness to pivot and trust herself has defined her leadership style, as she's moved through numerous academic and clinical roles to her current position.

Dr. Rice discusses the critical importance of trust in medicine and how physician diversity directly improves health outcomes: "The foundation of any relationship is trust." She explains how physicians who understand their patients' backgrounds can "meet them where they are" to create more effective care plans.

From tackling physician representation to building patient trust through cultural concordance, Dr. Rice offers a masterclass in purposeful leadership. She reminds us why this work matters now more than ever, summing up her philosophy with the powerful question she asks herself daily: "What would you do if you could not fail?"

This conversation isn't just about healthcare—it's about leading with conviction when the path gets rocky and remembering your "why" when challenges mount.

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This episode of Inspiring Women was recorded at the WBL Summit, a leadership, networking, and professional development conference for WBL members that takes place each spring.

WBL is a network of 1500+ senior executive women in healthcare who convene to share ideas, make valuable connections, and solve business challenges. WBL’s mission is to connect and support our members in advancing their careers and impact on our industry.