National Spotlight

A prescription for change: the More in Common Alliance's vision for health equity

CommonSpirit Health is deeply committed to achieving health equity in the communities it serves. A key part of this commitment is the More in Common Alliance (MiCA), a groundbreaking partnership with the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), one of the nation's preeminent historically Black medical schools. MiCA's audacious mission is to transform health equity across the United States by strategically addressing representation in the provider community.

A visionary leader in the Northwest

In August 2024, Gloria Ríchard-Davis, MD, MBA, NCMP, FACOG, began her appointment as the Northwest Regional Dean for MiCA at CommonSpirit Health’s Virginia Mason Franciscan Health system in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Ríchard-Davis brings over 30 years of experience in women's health and health equity to this role.

"My career has centered on women's health and health care equity, and my path has been full circle as I return to the Pacific Northwest to fulfill my dream of bringing more underrepresented and vulnerable communities into the field of medicine, creating a more inclusive experience for patients across the Northwest," said Dr. Ríchard-Davis.

As regional dean, Dr. Ríchard-Davis oversees the current undergraduate medical training program and the continued expansion of MiCA programs across the region. She is actively building a community of support for underrepresented students, connecting with universities across the Northwest to encourage and guide them toward medical school.

A shared mission — why MiCA matters

Both CommonSpirit and Morehouse share a deep commitment to serving underserved communities. "Both organizations are focused on providing health care for vulnerable populations, equity and justice," said Dr. Ríchard-Davis.

A diverse workforce leads to better patient outcomes. By investing in MiCA, donors are not only supporting medical education and health equity but also contributing to healthier communities.

MiCA addresses a critical need: increasing the percentage of providers from historically underrepresented groups. By creating a truly inclusive environment, advocating for structural changes within medical schools, addressing biases in curricula, and ensuring students feel supported through mentorship and resources, MiCA is paving the way for a more diverse and equitable healthcare system.

The current MiCA program includes an undergraduate training program for Morehouse School of Medicine third- and fourth-year medical students to participate in clinical clerkship rotations at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health hospitals and medical centers in the King, Pierce and Kitsap counties.

"MiCA's collaboration with Commonspirit is an essential part of our mission to increase diversity in medical education and practice,” said Dr. Ríchard-Davis. “Through this partnership, MiCA can provide opportunities for underrepresented students, engage in advocacy for health equity and ensure that the healthcare workforce is better prepared to meet the needs of diverse communities.”

The power of philanthropy

Dr. Ríchard-Davis emphasizes the vital role of philanthropy in MiCA's success. The program is currently operating with hybrid rotations, requiring additional resources for housing and transportation for students rotating between Atlanta and Seattle.

"You cannot expect a third-year student to pay for their housing in Atlanta and then turn around and pay for housing for a rotation in Seattle," explained Dr. Ríchard-Davis. "That's been one of the limiting steps in our ability to even build the number of students that we can accommodate and why donating is so important."

Philanthropic contributions would directly support the program's infrastructure, ensuring that students can fully participate and thrive. MiCA also aims to expand Morehouse School of Medicine's capacity, ultimately increasing the number of students from 105 to 200. Regional campuses like the one in the Northwest will play a crucial role in providing clinical placements for these students.

"Donors not only provide essential funding but also become integral to the success of a movement that has the power to reshape the landscape of medical education, ensuring that it becomes more inclusive and representative of the diverse communities it serves. Collaborations like this can help elevate the medical profession, ensuring it is more reflective of the populations it serves and improving care for all."

Learn more about supporting better patient outcomes and healthier communities through increased representation in medicine with a gift to CommonSpirit Health Foundation's More in Common Alliance Fund.

 

About More in Common Alliance

In alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health, the More in Common Alliance exists to create health equity by increasing the percentage of providers historically underrepresented in medicine, across the United States, and throughout our health care system.

About CommonSpirit Health Foundation

As the philanthropic arm of one of the nation's largest health systems, CommonSpirit Health Foundation is committed to advancing health equity. The foundation inspires investments and donations from individuals, private foundations, corporate foundations and other entities — to support programs and initiatives that address the root causes of poor health and enable all people to be healthy and safe. Learn more at CommonSpiritHealthPhilanthropy.org/Foundation.

About CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S. With more than 175,000 employees, 35,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, and 45,000 nurses, CommonSpirit operates 150 hospitals and 2,400 care sites in 24 states serving 22 million patients each year. CommonSpirit is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. Learn more at CommonSpirit.org.

CommonSpirit has 80 fundraising entities located across the U.S. Over the past five years, these foundations have raised a combined $1.4 billion to ensure that it can continue to serve the vulnerable and build healthy communities. The organization does this nationally through CommonSpirit Health Foundation, and locally through its network of regional and community-based fundraising entities.

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