The American Bar Association honored Montrece M. Ransom (‘01) with its Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award during the Health Law Section’s Emerging Issues in Health Law Conference in Orlando.
The award honors an ABA Health Law Section member, who has made exceptional efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the section or the legal profession. Ransom has actively recruited diverse individuals, promoted their advancement within the section, and ensured that leadership positions were open to them.
“I feel responsible for holding the door open for people who follow me,” she said. “Receiving this award felt like recognition of my contributions to the ABA, the HLS and to our profession, as a whole.”
Through her position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ransom oversees 15 student-interns each year, encourages them to join the section as student members, and works to help these interns secure opportunities both inside and outside of the section.
“So, in this work, I’ve mentored literally hundreds of students, of diverse backgrounds, over the past 18 years or so,” Ransom said. “I’ve convinced several Master of Public Health students to go on to study law, and I’ve persuaded law students to use their degrees to do work that advances the health of the population.”
Ransom is chair of the ABA’s Health Law Section Government Interest Group, and she has provided strong and ongoing support to the section’s diversity initiatives. She is also a member of the ABA’s Presidential Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness.