By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, 82, is a pioneering figure in osteopathic medicine, breaking barriers as a Black woman leader in healthcare. As the eldest of six children, including her famed sister Diana Ross, she has dedicated her career to advancing medical education and primary care in the field.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee
Ross-Lee shared that throughout the early portions of her career, she was often the only Black person or woman in the room.
“I represent a whole series of minorities–Black, female, osteopathic,” said Ross-Lee. “I started out just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself for me. Often in my training, I was the only one.”
Ross-Lee has played a significant role in shaping healthcare policy, serving as an advisor on minority health, rural healthcare and much more. She has helped establish five new osteopathic medical schools and is the founding director of the American Osteopathic Association Health Policy Fellowship Program, which trains mid-career physicians for leadership roles.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous honors including the Women’s Health Award by Blackboard African American Bestsellers and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award named in her honor.
Ross-Lee’s path into osteopathic medicine was shaped by the opportunities she could find.
“I had always wanted to go into medicine, but I was discouraged as an undergraduate,” said Ross-Lee. “I was told by advisors that women couldn’t, shouldn’t go into medicine.”
Despite these obstacles, she eventually was able to pursue medicine, earning a master’s in education before merging her clinical and academic expertise.
She later became the first African-American woman appointed dean of a U.S. medical school at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (1993-2001) and the first osteopathic physician to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Steve Jessmore
Ross-Lee credits her family as a foundation for her success.
“We are all products of our journey, and our journey begins with family,” she said. “My father taught me respect and personal integrity. My mother’s family was a sharing family. Our family perspective is ‘share as you go.’”
Ross-Lee’s impact on the medical field extends beyond her achievements.
Marita Gilbert, associate dean of diversity and campus inclusion at Michigan State University, regards Ross-Lee as a mentor.
“She has been an informal mentor to me…a sounding board, an encourager and someone who not only believes in my dreams but pushes me to dream bigger,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert recalled taking Ross-Lee to view a mural of notable MSU alumni in downtown East Lansing, Mich. that Ross-Lee was featured in but did not know.
“She could hardly believe it,” she said. “That day lives with me because I got to witness her realizing the impact she has had in her career. It brings me to tears.”
Ross-Lee shared her approach to keeping to her goals and not succumbing to the challenges she has faced in life.
“I wouldn’t call it persevering,” said Ross-Lee. “I would call it aspiring for excellence, so you have a positive vision and goal.”
“ don’t let the external environment define who I am,” she added. “If we allow an environment full of stereotypes and biases to define us, the most we can hope to be is mediocre. We need to take charge, know our own values and define ourselves.”
Great Job Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer & the Team @ AFRO American Newspapers Source link for sharing this story.
