Two new trustees were recently named to the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) board. Business executives Larry Renfro and Russell Stokes were both appointed to MSM’s board in May.

Renfro is the Vice Chairman at UnitedHealth Group, a position which he has held since 2014. He is also managing partner of Optum Ventures investment funds where he oversees all enterprise strategic relationships, key client relationships, and companywide business growth efforts. Renfro joined UnitedHealth Group in January 2009 and has served as chief executive officer, Optum, and CEO, Public and Senior Markets Group. He was previously a senior executive officer at Fidelity Investments and a member of the Fidelity Executive Committee and held senior leadership positions in financial services for over 25 years with AARP Services, Inc., NewRiver Inc., State Street Bank & Trust, and Allamerica Financial.

Stokes is a 22-year veteran at GE, where he currently serves as a senior vice president and president and chief executive officer of GE Power Portfolio and a senior vice president of GE. Prior to this role, Stokes was the president and chief executive officer of GE Energy Connections and president and chief executive officer of GE Transportation. Stokes is active in philanthropic efforts across Atlanta. He is a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, the Atlanta Committee for Progress, Usher’s New Look Board, and the Board of 3DE. 

The announcement underscores MSM’s commitment to educational and operational excellence and supports the school’s vision of leading the creation and advancement of health equity.

“We are honored to have two incredibly accomplished and well-respected members from the business sector join our board,” said MSM Board of Trustees Chairman Art Collins. “It is my hope that Mr. Renfro and Mr. Stokes will help Morehouse School of Medicine continue to grow and achieve our mission of health equity. Their business experience will be critical as Morehouse School of Medicine continues on an accelerated path of student recruitment, curriculum, and facilities growth under the visionary leadership of President and Dean, Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD.”