After 154 years, an HBCU medical school has appointed its first Black female dean.
Dr. Andrea A. Hayes Dixon has been appointed as the dean of Howard University College of Medicine, making her the first Black woman to hold the position in the school’s 154-year history, Essence reports.
“I am truly honored and humbled to lead the outstanding Howard University College of Medicine,” Hayes Dixon said in a news release. “The responsibility of educating the nation’s next generation of leaders in medicine, is an enormous responsibility that I take very seriously. I am excited to engender allies and friends to join me in the journey of moving Howard forward.”
Hayes Dixon’s historic appointment comes after she became the first woman chair of the Department of Surgery at Howard University in 2021. She will succeed Dr. Hugh Mighty, who served as the dean of the College of Medicine since 2015.
“This is an exciting moment in the history of the College of Medicine as we look forward to the continued rise of the University in training the next generation of medical leaders and providers,” Mighty said in a statement. “Dr. Hayes will bring new experiences and vision to the mission of our historic College of Medicine.”
The first highlights the need for broader representation in medical academia at HBCUs and other institutions.
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