Dr. Yvonne D. Greer ’22, has worked to create a culture of health and wellness for her community. Starting with her degree in nutrition and then graduating from Walden’s Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program, she has used her experience to engage with a vast number of projects, ranging from being part of the CDC’s Prevention grant to partnering with her daughter who is a reproductive health/OB RN.
Dazjah Samuels ’24 - in coordination with Sarah Hooper, DVM, MS, PhD, and Natalie Ragland, DVM, DACLAM, both associate professors at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) - has earned recognition as a Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Scholar for her research in global bat populations. Additionally, Samuels has been selected as a Foundation for Food and Agriculture (FFAR) Fellow. These prestigious titles are simply part of the impressive academic career being put together by Samuels with the help of RUSVM’s faculty and facilities.
Dr. Rochelle Gilbert, Executive Senior Director/Dean at Walden University, speaks on understanding and celebrating Black Resistance and the changes it can help create. From creating diversity in leadership to representation in education and the workplace Dr. Gilbert reminds us that change happens all the way from the personal to systemic level.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 reporting, only about 2.2% of veterinarians are Black. Striving to improve this, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) embraces the One Health philosophy, which tells us that human, animal and environmental health are connected. Combating racial disparities, which impact human health, are part of this commitment. Utilizing tools such as articulation agreements, scholarships and much more RUSVM is working to close the gap.
Chyrisha Rucker, a second-year student at American University of the Caribbean (AUC), set out to not only become a physician, but to pave the way for health equity and future Black Women in medicine. From becoming a doula to being a founding member of the Michigan Prison Doula, Chyrisha now seeks to complete her education and support underprivileged communities through healthcare.
Shanique Ampiah, MD ’14 an alumni of American University of the Caribbean (AUC), knew she was meant for pediatrics from the moment she laid hands on a stethoscope. Dr. Ampiah’s medical journey has brought her across continents where she now makes an impact in the lives of children, adolescents and their families.
India Rose, PhD, MPH, CHES champions equity through Public Health. A recipient of the South Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award and researcher with a focus on understanding the impact of psychosocial factors on adolescent risk-taking behavior, Dr. Rose is continuing to create change in her professional journey.
Founded by Tahara Jordan, Class of ’25, Black Female Doctors seeks to inspire new generations into the medical field through mentorship and shared experiences. At Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) the Black Female Doctors (BFD) organization encourages networking, mentoring, education, events, and service.
Meet Walden’s three newest master’s degree recipients of the Empower Scholarship Fund! Sky Greenwood-Goodwin, a student in Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program seeking to remove the stigma around mental health. Tia Busby is pursuing her MS in School Counseling and would be the first in her family to earn a master’s degree. Margo O’Sullivan is studying for her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is working to keep families strong in our communities.
Sometimes where you start isn’t where you end, and that’s true for Chima Onwuka ’22, an alumni of Walden University. Starting in premed and realizing it wasn’t his dream, he moved to psychology and thrived. Now involved in fundraising, community events and lifting up those around him in his community, Onwuka is living his truth and helping others do the same.
What does it mean to practice Black Resistance in corporate America? Cheryl James, SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Adtalem, discusses the systemic barriers facing Black employees, the lack of representation in corporate leadership, and how Adtalem has used an intentional approach to diversity and inclusion to create an equitable workplace that goes beyond tokenism.
Keren-Happuch Ikechi-Konkwo, a fourth-semester student at American University of the Caribbean, is planning her future career as a physician while also being involved in the Black Medical Student Association (BMSA). She and her BMSA colleagues are inspired to meet and support other medical students like themselves.
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) alum Steven D. Jackson, MD ’06, discusses his path to medicine as well as his work promoting equity and inclusion in healthcare.
From a young age, Tahara Jordan knew she wanted to be a physician. Her winding path from an inner-city household to Ross University School of Medicine’s Class of ’25 included boarding school, a historically Black university, a fateful conversation, and Ross Med’s Access and Inclusion in Medicine (AIM) Scholars Program.
Kiana Jackson, Class of ’25, and Chrishell Marble, Class of ’24, had a lot in common in as native News Yorkers pursuing their dreams of becoming veterinarians. Through a Cornell student organization Marble founded – Minority Animal Science Students – the two were first introduced as undergraduates seeking networking and mentorship opportunities with their peers from underrepresented groups. Today, the pair are reunited through leadership positions with Ross Vet’s chapter of the Student National Association for Black Veterinarians (SNABV), seeking to accomplish the same mission and more that first brought them together six years ago.
As a high schooler, Kayla Jackson, class of ‘24, knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. As an undergraduate, two attempts at organic chemistry derailed her dream. After nearly a decade in a field she didn’t love, she found Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Now, she’s being recognized with a national scholarship for diversity and leadership.
Student Affairs manager Dr. Charity Adams shares how organizations like the Divine Nine Alliance can help support your education journey.