April 30, 2025

Columbus State University can certainly boast a healthy dose of pride for one of its own—Dr. Leo Moore ’07, named by Men’s Health as its 2024 "Ultimate Guy" and gracing the magazine’s cover the world over. Moore’s selection as the publication’s fittest, most driven man is a testament to his drive, fitness and impactful career in medicine.

Born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Atlanta, young Leo Moore grew up surrounded by strong women … almost all of whom were nurses. His grandmother, mother and aunt—all nurses. Combined with multiple male relatives who were preachers, it’s easy to spot the genesis of Moore’s servant leadership heart and spirit.

At age five, Moore proclaimed to his mother that “there are too many nurses in the family; someone has to be the doctor.” Two decades later, he achieved his goal.

His pre-med journey began at Columbus State, where he fell in love with the traditional campus and its proximity to Atlanta (and the fact that it was *just* far enough away for him to grow his sense of independence). Moore wanted a college experience that would challenge him to build and rely on his community, and he found that opportunity in Columbus State.

Additional factors informed his decision: a strong biology department, the ability to leverage the HOPE Scholarship, and the city and university’s cozy, like-home feel the first time he visited.

Moore’s time at Columbus State was an amazing time of discovery, during which he learned much about himself and what drives him. During his four years on campus, he was determined to immerse himself in everything the school offered and dig deep into his passions. This manifested in an incredible number of engagement opportunities and accomplishments. He was a three-year resident assistant in the dorms and worked as a lab assistant in the biology department. That still allowed him time to serve as speaker of the Senate in the Student Government Association and as a member of both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the American Medical Student Association. He was selected as the university’s 2006 homecoming king and 2007 Faculty Cup finalist.

Moore after being crowned homecoming king, with his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers (left to right) Courtney Horne, Michael Stiggers Jr. ’09 and Marques Barnes ’07.

Academically, he made the conscious decision to maximize every opportunity before him and to give it his all to reach his dream. He showed up to every 8 a.m. biology class his freshman year and graduated with a strong 3.75 GPA.

If you were to tour the Columbus State Main Campus today, you might notice the student engagement rooms in Lenoir Hall are named after Moore. While his collegiate academic and servant leadership record is exemplary, it was his work bringing student health to the forefront of the conversation that moved the needle.

During his time at Columbus State, Moore realized the school didn’t offer HIV testing or education. Working with the Columbus Health Department, plus the CSU chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, a national public health honorary society, he created the first World AIDS Day event on campus. The Columbus Health Department participated, as did students from around the world who showcased their talents while working together to raise HIV awareness. As a result of Moore’s efforts, HIV testing is now offered through Columbus State’s Student Health Services.

Moore in 2019 touring campus science facilities with (left to right) Dr. Monica Frazier, now-chair of the Department of Biology, former faculty member Dr. Katie Hughes, and Dr. Floyd Jackson, now-chair of the Department of Chemistry.

“It was important to talk about the things people were saying, especially when they weren’t sharing the correct information,” Moore said. “Starting the difficult conversations—sometimes via donut bribes during dorm meetings—is what leads to learning the correct information and understanding risks.”

Looking back on his time at Columbus State, Moore is quick to credit his success to both his mentors and the community as a whole.

“The classes were small, the professors were approachable, it was easy to build mentorship relationships with my professors, and it helped that they wanted me to succeed and make it to the next step,” he reflected. “Columbus State set the stage, the path and the expectation for what I wanted in my next level of training and education. My time at CSU taught me what I needed to be supported, and how best to look out for each other in a community. It’s about shared goals, not competition.

“Developing resiliency, building yourself to a place where you are capable of withstanding derailing setbacks, is key to growth,” he continued. “Being committed to your family, your job, your career and bettering the community and world around you; being generous with your time and talents in a way that will inspire someone else to do better.”

Moore on campus in 2013 with Dr. Paula Walker after making a presentation.

Dr. Paula Walker, one of his professors and mentors, challenged him as he was formulating his medical school application personal statement to enjoy the journey, enjoy the process. He recalls her mantra: don’t wish for the next step—the joy is in the journey.

Following his graduation from Columbus State in 2007 with a bachelor’s in biology and a pre-med concentration, Moore attended Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine—a school he chose because its close-knit community mirrored that of Columbus State. He finished his residency at Yale University and applied for and was selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program fellowship, which placed him at UCLA and where he earned a master’s in health policy and management.

Moore is now a board-certified physician and the medical director for clinical services for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health where he serves his community as a medical doctor committed to helping reduce the stigma around HIV. In his job, he oversees three public health centers that provide sexual health services, TB/communicable disease testing, refugee health services and immunizations. As a physician and health advocate, Moore combines medical exper􀆟se with real-world advice to address the men’s preven􀆟ve care gap, especially among Black, Latinx and underserved communites.

As a spiritual person, Moore believes his assignment here on earth is far from done, and his success is a testament to the mind shifts he’s made at key points in his life. When asked what drives him, he shares that it’s all about servant leadership: “Explore options to find what excites you, what stokes your passion. Find your tribe. Don’t settle for just a job—find a career you love that fulfils you.”

The servant leadership Dr. Moore learned and experienced at Columbus State has come full circle in a wonderful way. He’s authored a new book designed to empower men to take control of their health, which became available for preorders in late April 2025. 

“The Men’s Preventive Health Guide: What to Check, When to Check It, and Why it Matters” (pictured) is a practical and accessible resource to guide men in maintaining their health at every age. Evidence-based recommendations are organized and presented by decade, to include essential screening timelines, vaccination schedules and lifestyle tips. The book is written in clear, easy-to-understand language, and is ideal for men from all backgrounds. The book is available for purchase from his website or online booksellers like Amazon and IngramSpark. 

And that “ultimate guy” Men’s Health cover? Fitness and physical health became a priority for him during his junior year at Columbus State when he started doing Tae Bo in his dorm room. Moore saw the competition on the website and decided to give it a shot. And as they say, the rest is history.

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Story contributed by Kim Drew, APR

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu