Justice Meets Medicine: Gerald Griggs Honors Alpha Institute Graduates

Attorney Gerald Griggs pictured with the graduates of Alpha Institute at Southern Regional Hospital

This week, Gerald A. Griggs, President of the Georgia NAACP, proudly presided over the Alpha Institute graduation ceremony, celebrating a new class of medical professionals made possible through a powerful partnership between the Georgia NAACP and UnitedHealthcare of Georgia. The event marked a milestone in a shared mission to expand access to healthcare and advance equity in the medical field.

A Milestone for Health Equity

The Alpha Institute is a strategic initiative designed to address disparities in healthcare by increasing representation among providers and equipping professionals with the tools to serve Georgia’s most underserved communities. This initiative reflects a growing commitment from both the Georgia NAACP and UnitedHealthcare to improve public health outcomes through culturally competent care and community-rooted solutions.

Gerald Griggs: Leadership at the Intersection of Justice and Health

As the current State President of the Georgia NAACP and a longtime civil rights attorney, Gerald Griggs has championed a broad range of issues—from voting rights to educational equity. Presiding over this graduation, Griggs emphasized the importance of equity in all systems, including healthcare.

“I was honored to preside over the Alpha Institute graduation ceremony for newly minted medical professionals,” Griggs said. “This is how we move from advocacy to action—by investing in the next generation of leaders and healers who reflect the communities they serve.”

The Graduates: Preparing to Serve Georgia’s Communities

This year’s graduates represent a diverse and dedicated group of individuals—future doctors, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other allied health professionals—who completed rigorous training tailored to address the health needs of underserved populations in Georgia. Their education and hands-on experience were supported by leading professionals from across the healthcare spectrum.

A Vision for Long-Term Impact

The Georgia NAACP–UnitedHealthcare partnership is more than a program—it’s a commitment to sustained, generational change. As more cohorts graduate and enter the field, the initiative is expected to strengthen healthcare access across Georgia, particularly in rural and marginalized communities that have long been underserved.

This graduation marks the beginning of that larger impact. Each provider represents a step forward in closing health equity gaps and delivering compassionate, community-centered care.

Why This Matters

• Expanding the Pipeline: Creating accessible pathways into medicine for underrepresented communities.

• Building Community Trust: Culturally competent care begins with providers who understand the lived experiences of their patients.

• Improving Health Outcomes: Systemic change starts with frontline action—and that begins with training the right professionals.

  
  

This ceremony underscores the importance of aligning advocacy with tangible outcomes. Under the leadership of Gerald Griggs, the Georgia NAACP continues to make critical investments in the future—where justice, health, and opportunity meet.