Dillard Alumna Returns as New Director of the Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center
|
Posted By: Kennedy Williams on September 08, 2022 Dillard University has announced that Michelle R. Smith ‘98, Ph.D., M.P.H. has been named director of the University’s Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center (MHHERC), effective September 6. Smith is leading the charge to expand research across disciplinary areas to enhance and promote coordination and collaboration throughout the scientific community and to improve the overall quality of health for racial and ethnic minorities. The Little Rock, Arkansas native returns to her alma mater with an impressive resume, bringing over 20 years of public health experience to her new role. “Dillard gave me a strong background and it helped me realize that you need more than book knowledge to succeed. It was the connections and the family atmosphere that steered me clear of harm, and helped me to excel in academics,” said the former biology major. President Rochelle L. Ford notes Smith’s appointment as a win for Dillard and the state of Louisiana. “I am proud that we are bringing this daughter of Dillard back home to lead this very important center,” said the president. “Dr. Smith's experience, qualifications, vision and enthusiasm for this work will provide the leadership we need to activate our commitment to act courageously to make the world better through reducing health disparities and creating greater equity. I look forward to the work that she will do.” Smith’s compassion and servant leadership led her to explore a career in public health to provide access to healthcare and education in minority communities. As the former director of the Office of Health Equity at the Arkansas Department of Health, she has been a trailblazer in innovative approaches to reduce health disparities. Prior to working at the Arkansas Department of Health, Smith was the HIV/AIDS coordinator for the Ryan White Part D program at Jefferson Comprehensive Care System. While there, she organized the first tri-state HIV conferences for Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Smith has led efforts to organize Sisters and Brothers United, a community-based program to address the state’s high infant mortality rate with Black fraternities and sororities. Her work was recognized in 2014 when Sisters United received the Vision Award for a creative and innovative approach to addressing public health challenges from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Smith also developed the Arkansas Minority Barber & Beauty Shop Health Initiative that provided screenings and education about heart disease and stroke in non-traditional health care settings. In 2018, Smith was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a captain and currently serves as the public health officer for the 189th medical group with the Arkansas Air National Guard. In 2021, she received a commendation medal for outstanding achievement while serving as Medical Liaison during Operation Allies Welcome, where she aided in the resettlement efforts for Afghan refugees. Also in 2021, Smith directed the effort to secure a $41 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address health disparities in the state related to COVID-19. During the height of the pandemic, Smith created health equity strike teams to increase COVID testing and vaccinations. Vaccination sites included HBCUs, churches, barbershops, schools and other locations in minority communities. She also created the monoclonal antibody squad (MAB Squad) to increase access to COVID treatment for minorities. Her work has been nationally recognized, and she recently spoke on a panel at the Summit on the Future of COVID-19 Vaccines at the White House. Smith is the recipient of multiple awards for her leadership and outreach. Most recently she received the President’s Award from the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus, the Friends of APA Award from the Arkansas Pharmacist Association, and the Dr. Joycelyn Elders’ Minority Health Pioneer Award from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. To add to her growing list of accomplishments, today, Just Communities of Arkansas announced that Smith was selected as one of their 2022 humanitarians of the year. Smith received an M.P.H. from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Arkansas. She is also a certified lactation counselor through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. Additionally, she is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and she is a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated. SOURCE Dillard University If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
Sucré Couture and National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Celebrate Spelman Sisterhood with Undaunted By The FightSucré Couture, in collaboration with the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC), celebrates the bold spirit, resilience, authenticity, and enduring sisterhood of Spelman alumnae throu ...more
Reginald Claremont • 41 Views • October 13th, 2026 |
 |
Memphis Legend Project Pat to Headline LeMoyne-Owen College's "LOCHELLA" Homecoming Music FestivalMemphis rap legend Project Pat will headline LeMoyne-Owen College's free "LOCHELLA" Homecoming Music Festival on Saturday, October 24, 2026, capping a homecoming celebration of music, culture, and HBC ...more
Roger Gates • 49 Views • October 13th, 2026 |
 |
Online Master's in Organizational Leadership: Education Leadership TrackLeadership for the future of education Education is changing fast and its leaders need more than good instincts. Brown's online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership now offers an Education L ...more
Reginald Claremont • 1,308 Views • October 8th, 2026 |
 |
Black Girl Vitamins Brings Its Homecoming of Health Tour to HBCU Campuses This FallBlack Girl Vitamins is celebrating HBCU homecoming season by bringing wellness education, self-care resources, and interactive experiences directly to students and alumni at some of the nation's most ...more
Reginald Claremont • 182 Views • October 8th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
Louisiana Upholds Life Sentence to Black Man For Stealing Hedge Trimmers in 1997While this may not be HBCU related news, as an AFrican American male, I had to share this appalling decision by the Louisiana court system to keep a man in jail with a life sentence for such a petty c ...more
Roger Gates • 405,975 Views • August 6th, 2020 |
 |
Blonde Instagram Model Goes Viral for Graduating from HBCU and Pledging Delta Sigma Theta!A blonde woman is going viral this morning, for graduating from A Historically Black College while pledging a Black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
@Blonde_HBCU
The woman, an IG ...more
Roger Gates • 190,300 Views • November 30th, 2020 |
 |
Apple to Invest over $40 Million Dollars into HBCUs - Time to major in Computer Science!!!On Tuesday Johnny C. Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund stopped by “NewsOne Now” to make a major announcement that could literally change the lives of thousands of HBCU st ...more
Roger Gates • 131,090 Views • March 11th, 2015 |
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Claremont • 118,504 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
 |
Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith to Donate $50 Million to Support STEM Students at HBCUsThe Student Freedom Initiative announced today a $50 million personal gift from Robert F. Smith, philanthropist and Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. This gift matches the initial fu ...more
Roger Gates • 86,693 Views • October 22nd, 2020 |
