Director, Center for Community Health and Prevention and Founding Director of the Office of Health Equity Research at University of Rochester Medical Center
With the organization since: September 2022.
In current position since: 2024.
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Master of Science degree in epidemiology from the State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D. in epidemiology and community health from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Career Highlights: Director of the Center for Community Health & Prevention and founding director of the Office of Health Equity Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC); dean associate professor of health equity research, with a primary academic appointment in public health sciences and secondary appointment within the division of allergy, immunology and rheumatology at the URMC; previously appointed associate professor within the department of public health sciences and division of rheumatology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina; served as deputy director for research and sustainability for the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities at the University of South Carolina; robust research portfolio, including a Pfizer fellowship in health disparities, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders/NIH Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01), and National Institute of Nursing Research/NIH R01; recipient of numerous recognitions, including Research Innovator and Eminent Scholar by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine; research consultant to address lupus healthcare disparities, mentoring, diversity and inclusion.
Current affiliations: Member of Foodlink, Inc. board of directors; African American Health Coalition; steering committee co-chair for Project CHANGE, Lupus Research Alliance/Lupus Therapeutics; external advisory committee to Cincinnati Children’s Center; associate editor for DEI issues for “Arthritis & Rheumatology;” guest editor for International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Special Issue, “Challenging Health Disparities through the Promotion of Health Equity.”
What is your biggest challenge in your current position? “As a new Black female leader in a predominantly white academic medical institution, I have encountered a unique set of challenges. Navigating this landscape requires not only resilience, but also an unwavering commitment to proving my competence among colleagues and stakeholders who may question my capabilities based solely on my race and gender. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment and advocating for systemic change. My journey as a leader is not just about personal success, but also about paving the way for others who will follow.”
What is your greatest strength professionally? “My personal philosophy on leadership, which borrows from models of servant leadership, is about helping people, individually and collectively, be the best they can be. I see myself as a role model, and through my actions, I encourage and foster positive relationships, excellence, creativity and open communication.”
If you could make one change to the current healthcare system, what would it be? “A centralized and unified approach to community engagement would send the message to the community that we value their input and aim to organize and coordinate efficiently to maximize the time they are willing to invest.”
How do you support the well-being of your team? “I’m using several strategies to support a sense of community at our center. These include a “Health Equity in Progress” series, regular social gatherings, small and large focused meetings within larger units, as well as regular “All Call” meetings during which others in the center have an opportunity to participate in agenda setting and information sharing.”