Barbara Ross-Lee facts for kids

Barbara Ross-Lee, born on June 1, 1942, is an American doctor and educator. She made history as the first African-American woman to become a dean of a medical school in the United States. She is also known as the sister of famous singer Diana Ross. Her nieces are actress Tracee Ellis Ross and singer-songwriters Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Evan Ross.

Barbara Ross-Lee studied biology and chemistry at Wayne State University, finishing in 1965. She then went to Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1969. After becoming a doctor, she opened her own family practice. She also taught as a professor and held many important roles in the medical world. In 1993, she became the first woman dean of a medical school at Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has received many awards for her hard work and achievements.

Early Life and Education

Barbara Ross-Lee was born in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in housing projects with her parents, Ernestine and Fred Ross Sr. She is the oldest of six children, and her younger sister is the singer Diana Ross.

She started her pre-medical studies at Wayne State University in 1960. This was during the time of the civil rights movement. Back then, it was hard for minority students to get into medical school. Also, there wasn't much money to help students from families with less income.

Her advisor at Wayne State did not think women should be doctors. So, the advisor did not let Barbara study human anatomy as her main subject. Instead, Barbara graduated in 1965 with a degree in biology and chemistry.

After college, she joined the National Teacher Corps. This was a government program where she could earn a degree while teaching in Detroit schools. In 1969, a new chance came up. Michigan State University opened a school of osteopathic medicine near Detroit. Barbara applied and was accepted.

After opening her own family medicine practice, she later married Edmond Beverly. They raised her five children together.

Her Medical Career

After finishing medical school, Dr. Ross-Lee worked in her private practice in Detroit for ten years. Then, she started working for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Here, she focused on medical education and helping people of color get into medicine.

From 1990 to 1993, Dr. Ross-Lee was a community representative. She served on the Governor's Minority Health Advisory Committee for Michigan. She was also the first osteopathic doctor to receive a special award called the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship. In 1993, she received the "Magnificent 7" Award from the Business and Professional Women's Foundation.

She has also received the Women's Health Award for her work in women's health. The Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine gave her a Distinguished Public Service Award. She also received an honorary doctorate of science from the New York Institute of Technology.

First Woman Medical School Dean

In 1993, Dr. Ross-Lee became the first African American woman to be a dean of a medical school in the United States. She was the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of Ohio University until 2001. During her time there, she completely changed the way students studied. She also created a new curriculum focused on women's health. People saw her as someone who brought positive change.

After leaving Ohio University, she became the vice president of Health Sciences and Medical Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology. In 2002, she also became the dean of its New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She continued to hold both positions. She worked hard to support women and people of color in medicine. She also promoted the field of osteopathic medicine.

While at New York Institute of Technology, Dr. Ross-Lee helped NYITCOM grow. It became the fourth largest medical school in the U.S. It also became the fourth highest-ranked osteopathic medicine program. She helped establish a new NYITCOM campus at Arkansas State University in 2016.

Dr. Ross-Lee was also a member of important committees. These included the National Institutes of Health's Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health. She also served on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Today, Dr. Ross-Lee is a fellow of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. She is also a member of the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau of Professional Education. She is part of the Trilateral International Medical Workforce Group.

New Medical School Projects

In 2018, Dr. Ross-Lee was chosen to be the first dean of the Minnesota College of Osteopathic Medicine. This was planned to be Minnesota's first osteopathic medical school. However, the plans for this college changed. The resources were then used to help start the Kansas Health Sciences Center. Its Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine received special status in 2021.

In February 2022, it was announced that Dr. Ross-Lee was hired as president of a new medical school. This school is the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine at Morgan State University. The university hopes to get special approval by 2023. They plan to welcome their first class of students in the fall of 2024.

Awards and Honors

• Ohio Women's Hall of Fame (1998)
• Fellow, American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
• Member, Trilateral International Medical Workforce Group
• Member, NIH Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health
• Member, DHHS Advisory Committee on Rural Health
• Distinguished Public Service Award, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Honorary Doctorate of Science, New York Institute of Technology
• Distinguished Service Certificate, AOA, October 2013
• AOA's 40 Great Pioneers of Osteopathic Medicine, 2008
• The History Makers Foundation’s Medical History Makers Award, 2007

See also

In Spanish: Barbara Ross-Lee para niños