MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Dortch, Banks, Bell (65th), Calhoun, Clarke, Cockerham, Hines, Johnson (94th), Sykes, Walker, Williams-Barnes
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING AND CONGRATULATING DR. EARLEXIA M. NORWOOD UPON BEING NAMED AS THE 19TH PRESIDENT OF THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A BOARD-CERTIFIED FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN.
WHEREAS, Earlexia Montoya Norwood, M.D., a renowned board-certified family medicine physician and native of Jackson, Mississippi, is being honored for being named the 19th president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association (JSUNAA); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Norwood, a 1984 W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College graduate of Jackson State University (JSU) and a 1988 graduate of the University of Iowa Medical School, believes the body is a gift from God and requires care and regular maintenance - a belief that has served her well throughout her inspiring practice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Norwood has practiced medicine with Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) since 1993, and currently serves as Director of Practice Development for Henry Ford Medical Group as well as Service Chief of Family Medicine for West Bloomfield Hospital in Michigan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Norwood is also an Assistant Clinical Professor for Wayne State University School of Medicine and serves on the Multicultural Leadership Committee for the American Heart Association, and she has been featured as a medical expert on numerous television networks, radio programs and printed publications, which speaks to the reverence she has earned in the medical community; and
WHEREAS, due to her pioneering spirit, Dr. Norwood was elected as the Inaugural President of the Organization of Physicians, Academicians and Executive Leaders (OPAL), which is a Henry Ford Health System Employee Resource Group (ERG); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Norwood is a member of several professional organizations, some of which include the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Medical Association (AMA), National Medical Association (NMA) and the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), and she has served as a member of the NMA House of Delegates, the NMA Council on Medical Legislation and as a member of the American College of Executive Physicians (ACEP); and
WHEREAS, throughout her rewarding career, Dr. Norwood has received several honors, some of which include: 2016 Michigan Chronicle, "Woman of Excellence Award"; Health and Wellness Honoree - 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit; "Focus on People" HFHS Community Service Award; Top Doc Award from HOUR Magazine (multiple years); Who's Who of Health Professionals; Who's Who of Women in America; Who's Who in Black Detroit; "Above and Beyond" and "Spirit" Awards from Troy Medical Center, Robert E. Birk Award, Excellence in Research and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the National Association of Equal Opportunity - all testaments of her passion for the community and the field of medicine; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her career and community related honors, the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation honored Dr. Norwood with their prestigious Legacy of Leaders Award, as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year recipient due to her leadership, dedication and stellar record of service; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Norwood also was honored, in 2014, as she was selected as the JSUNAA Alumnus of the Year, and, in 2015, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the association; and
WHEREAS, as the current president of JSUNAA, Dr. Norwood continues her impressive legacy of service as she gathers time, talent and treasure to implement the worthy goals of the association as well as to assist current JSU students in their graduating with degrees that will prepare them for a bright future; and
WHEREAS, notably, throughout her endeavors, Dr. Norwood has been lovingly supported by her husband, Robert E. Norwood, and their two daughters, Gabriel and Mikhaella Norwood; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor and recognize an outstanding Mississippian such as Dr. Norwood whose passion for helping others while challenging minds and changing lives will be treasured for generations to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby honor and congratulate Dr. Earlexia M. Norwood upon being named the 19th president of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and for her accomplishments as a board-certified family medicine physician.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Earlexia M. Norwood and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.