Barbara Ross-Lee facts for kids

Barbara Ross-Lee is an American physician and a leader in medical education. She was born on June 1, 1942. She made history as the first African-American woman to become a dean of a medical school in the United States.

You might also know her as the sister of famous singer Diana Ross. She is also the aunt of actress Tracee Ellis Ross and singer-songwriters Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Evan Ross.

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

Her Early Life and Education

Barbara Ross-Lee grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents were Ernestine and Fred Ross, Sr. She is the oldest of six children. One of her younger sisters is the famous singer Diana Ross.

Barbara Ross-Lee went to Wayne State University for her first college degree. She started her studies in 1960. This was during the time when the civil rights movement was growing. Back then, it was hard for minority students to get into medical schools. Also, there wasn't much money to help students from families with less income.

At Wayne State, her advisor didn't think women should be doctors. So, they didn't let her major in human anatomy. Instead, she earned a degree in biology and chemistry in 1965. After that, she joined the Teacher Corps, a program where she could teach in Detroit schools and earn another degree.

In 1969, a new chance came up. Michigan State University opened a school of osteopathic medicine near Detroit. Barbara Ross-Lee applied and was accepted. After finishing medical school, she opened her own family medicine practice. She later married Edmond Beverly. Together, they raised her five children.

Her Career in Medicine

After medical school, Dr. Ross-Lee worked at her private practice in Detroit for ten years. Then, she took a job with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. There, 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 physician to receive a special award called the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship. In 1993, she received the "Magnificent 7" Award. She has also won the Women's Health Award for her work in women's health. Other honors include the Distinguished Public Service Award from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She also received an honorary doctorate of science from the New York Institute of Technology.

First Female Dean of a U.S. Medical School

In 1993, Dr. Ross-Lee made history. She became the first African American woman dean of a medical school in the United States. She led the College of Osteopathic Medicine of Ohio University until 2001. During her time there, she completely changed the school's study plan. She also created a special curriculum for women's health. People saw her as someone who brought positive change.

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

During her time 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 also helped create NYITCOM 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.

Starting New Medical Schools

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, plans for this college changed. Resources were then used to help establish the Kansas Health Sciences Center. Its Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine was approved to start in 2021.

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

Honors and Awards

Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee has received many honors and awards for her contributions:

• 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