ALPHARETTA, GA – On Monday, December 8, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted a community conversation with Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA-07), “When America Leads, Georgia Wins,” bringing together civic, health, veteran and community leaders to discuss the importance of America’s investments in global health programs, artificial intelligence, and national security to make the U.S. safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Rep. McCormick was joined by Dr. Paige Armstrong, Acting Director of the CDC’s Global Health Center; Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE; and Professor Kenneth G. Castro, MD, FIDSA, Director of the Fulbright-Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

“Protecting America means recognizing that threats don’t stop at our borders. When we help strengthen global health systems, we’re reducing the chances that dangerous outbreaks reach our shores,” said Rep. Rich McCormick. “Strategic investment in global health is a national security priority that keeps Americans safe.”

“When women and families have access to quality health services, communities grow healthier, economies grow stronger, and humanitarian responses become more effective,” said Michelle Nunn. “The world has proven what’s possible—cutting global maternal mortality by nearly 40% since 2000. Progress is real, but our work is far from done.”

“America’s investment in global health creates a multiplier effect – strengthening our own security while advancing scientific discovery worldwide,” said Professor Kenneth Castro. “At Emory, we see firsthand how international collaborations through programs, like the NIH Fogarty research training programs and the U.S. Department of State Fulbright-Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, build critical partnerships and foster technological innovation that enhance our capacity to detect and respond to health threats before they reach our shores.”

“Georgia stands at the crossroads of America’s global health leadership and national security. With the CDC in Atlanta, Georgians know that when America invests in disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and health innovation, we protect our own communities and economy,” said USGLC National Engagement Director Michele Sumilas. “We’re grateful to Congressman McCormick for supporting development and diplomacy for a safer, stronger, more prosperous America.”

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