Dr. Tyan Thomas, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, hails from Baltimore and holds the distinction of being the first healthcare professional in her family. Her grandparents' participation in the Great Migration, a movement of African Americans seeking better opportunities in Northern cities, has shaped her understanding of healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities.

With a focus on predominantly underserved patients, Dr. Thomas offers a unique perspective on the underlying causes of mistrust in the healthcare system. Through her firsthand experiences, she has witnessed the impact of the intricate nature of the U.S. healthcare system on health disparities.

In her role as an educator and practitioner, Dr. Thomas strives to address these disparities and advocate for equitable access to care. Her dedication to understanding and dismantling barriers aligns with her commitment to social justice and improving the well-being of marginalized populations, which she integrates into her teaching practices.

Dr. Kruti Shah is a passionate patient advocate and educator who has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. With her extensive experience as a disability lead, she has emerged as a prominent figure in the field, working tirelessly to create positive change.

Currently serving as a Public Voice Fellow with the OpEd project, Dr. Shah utilizes her platform to raise awareness and promote disability affirming care. Her insightful articles, which have been published through this fellowship, shed light on the importance of inclusive practices and challenge societal misconceptions surrounding disabilities.

Recognizing the significance of intersectionality in healthcare, Dr. Shah has spearheaded health system-wide initiatives aimed at fostering wellness and inclusion. Through her work, she advocates for a comprehensive approach that considers the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, acknowledging the intersections of disability with other identities.

Leila is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy, DEI lead for the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and University Equality Champion, based in Scotland. Drawing from her own lived experience of a mixed heritage background (half Persian, half English), married to an Egyptian, living in the UK, she has always celebrated the richness that diversity brings to our spaces, our communities and our profession. As an academic she is passionate about creating equity measures to positively transform the student experience and since 2009 has led on innovative curricula design initiatives to empower marginalised students to succeed. As a pharmacist, she is an advocate for health equity and has led on community engagement and public health projects with a focus on empowering communities in areas of high deprivation and women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. She is active in developing a Global Citizenship curriculum for Pharmacists and sits on national UK wide equality committees, inclusive curricula practices, and anti-racist round tables.

Dr. Akesha Edwards is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago and is the first person in her family to receive a tertiary education. She migrated to the United States, as a Bachelor trained pharmacist, to pursue a PharmD degree. All immediate family were left behind. This experience, along with living in the US and navigating its health system as an immigrant, has shaped the focus of her pharmacy practice.

It is during the pursuit of a PhD, her passion for serving vulnerable populations grew. Dr. Edwards was able to empathize with the plight of the Caribbean immigrants who were her target population. Reports of stigma and discrimination rang true as she made note of the similarities with her own experiences while seeking healthcare. This is where her commitment began – (1) do and be better for her patients, (2) support the growth of a diversified healthcare workforce.

Since pivoting to a fully academic setting, Dr. Edwards has focused on collaborating with like-minded researchers to amplify issues in healthcare related to bias, discrimination, stigma and cultural competence that trigger the effects of disparities with a range of service and nationally recognized scholarly activity. Most importantly, she continues to be the advocate of students with varied background to ensure completion of their desired program of interest.

Dr. Melisa Alabsy is an Assistant Professor in Dental Medicine. Originally from México City where she earned her D.D.S. degree, she also holds a Master’s in Health Administration with a focus in Public Health. Her academic experience spans fifteen years and includes leadership positions in the Clinical, Extramural, and Preclinical Education. Consistently, Dr. Alabsy has recognized and valued the need to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion both structurally as well as within the curriculum.

Dr. Alabsy has extensive experience designing faculty calibration and student train on topics of DEI and provision of culturally-sensitive care, often seeking opportunities of interprofessional learning.

Dr. Alabsy has championed various initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in dental education, including faculty recruitment, student admissions, relationships with community organizations, and actively participates in mentorship programs for underrepresented students. Dr. Alabsy is most passionate about mentorship and advocacy for underrepresented students serving as faculty advisor in two student clubs, and holding leadership roles in national dental organizations that aim to increase representation within the dental field. In her community, Dr. Alabsy regularly participates in organized efforts that promote equity with local government and school districts.