Dr. A. Cherrie Epps, Ph.D.
A. Cherrie Epps, Ph.D
A. Cherrie Epps, Ph.D. is President and Chief Executive Officer of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Epps has upheld the mission of Meharry since 1994 serving in various roles including Professor of Internal Medicine, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine from 1997 – 2002. Dr. Epps is the only African-American woman with a Ph.D. degree to become Dean of a U.S. medical school. She holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Howard University. Prior to assuming the role of Interim President, Dr. Epps was Senior Advisor to the President and Dean Emerita in the School of Medicine.
Dr. Epps has executed an extensive career in academic medicine and is a noted expert in the accreditation process, particularly for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Her research interests include Medical Education with an emphasis on minority participation and preparation, Immunological Studies in Autoimmune Diseases, Immunological Embryology, Transplantation Immunol-ogy and Hepatitis-Immunology.
Dr. Epps has been published in several peer-reviewed journals including New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, and Journal of the National Medical Association. In 1993 she was commissioned by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences to write “Increasing Minority Participation in the Health Professions – The Problem of Under-representation and An Inventory and Analysis of Effective Strategies and Problems.” In 2007, Meharry Medical College established the A. Cherrie Epps Center for Educational Development and Support in recognition of Dr. Epps’ efforts to foster excellence in learning and teaching medicine, dentistry and graduate studies and research.
Throughout her career Dr. Epps has held key appointments on boards and committees. She served on the Minority Health Advisory Committee for the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services and the National Board of Medical Examiners and is an emeritus member of the Georgetown University Board of Regents.
Most recently, Dr. Epps co-authored with Ms. Patricia M. Hammock, An Act of Grace: The Right Side of History which is an historical and chronological account of the Meharry journey from the Salt Wagon story to the Renaissance period.
Dr. Epps comes to her leadership post during a time of significant transformation. Her focus will be to promulgate continued progress by successfully leading Meharry through the accreditation process for all three schools, continuing to enhance the student experience through technological advances, construction and new academic programs, and serving the community with quality and compassionate heath care services, especially for those in need.
Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon
Dr. Cherae Farmer Dixon
Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon is a native of Indianola, Mississippi and a 1986 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. She is the proud mother of two: Tyler Olivia and Gardner Luke.
Dr. Farmer-Dixon is a 1990 dental graduate of Meharry’s School of Dentistry and a 1994 graduate of their Masters of Science in Public Health Program (M.S.P.H.). She is a 2000 alumnae of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (ELAM) and the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute 2003-2004 class. She holds membership in the National Dental Association, American Association of Women Dentists, American Dental Education Association and numerous other professional organizations.
Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon has been on the faculty of Meharry Medical College for twenty-two (22) years. She is currently the Dean for the School of Dentistry and Professor with tenure, in the Department of Dental Public Health. Prior to assuming the role of dean, she was the Associate Dean for Academic and student affairs. Dr. Farmer-Dixon also serves her country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.
Dr. Farmer-Dixon has been actively involved in research activities that have dealt with oral health disparities, caries in low-income children, community outreach and intervention, and addressing minority dental school enrollment. Her research endeavors have lead to presentations at local, national and international meetings. Her publications have appeared in peer reviewed journals.
She has also received numerous awards from students and local, state, and national organizations such as Alumnus Faculty of the Year Recipient, Meharry National Alumni Association, Presidential Award, Meharry National Alumni Association, Camp Atterbury Army Dental Service and Leadership Award, award for best in Interdisciplinary Ethno-graphy, International Ethnographic Society and countless others.
