Black Pioneers Within the Department

In celebration of Black History Month, we are proud to celebrate the Black and African American students, alumni, faculty and staff making major impacts on the Department of Health Sciences through innovative research, outstanding clinical practice, advancing equity and inclusion initiatives, acting in leadership roles and embracing the department’s mission of service.

We continue to celebrate the current accomplishments and future opportunities of Black stakeholders in our department, but also recognize and appreciate the pioneers who have contributed greatly to our 50-year history.

Dr. Robert Thorpe: The first African American faculty member in the division of Radiologic Science and first Associate Chair in the Department of Allied Health Sciences

Seletha Shaw: The first Black administrative assistant in the division of Physical Therapy

Lynda Woodruff: The first Black faculty member in the division of Physical Therapy in 1974 and visionary leader for DEI in the profession of physical therapy

Marilyn McClain: The first Black graduate from the division of Physical Therapy

Linda Hurst: The first Black graduate of the MSOT program in 1990

Dr. Khalilah Johnson: The first Black graduate of the PhD in Occupational Science in 2017

Brian Boyd: The first Black faculty member in the division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Shana Jacobs: The first African American to earn a four-year AuD degree in North Carolina

Danai Fannin: The first Black student to earn a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Frances Burns: One of the first Black MS in SHS graduates who eventually earned her PhD and is now a professor at Frances Marion

Dr. Sharon Williams: The first African American director of the division of Speech and Hearing Sciences