2022 Black Student Association Awards Booklet

T H E

3 0 T H

A N N U A L

BLACK STUDENT

ASSOCIATION

VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Presented by

Table of Contents Black Student Association Executive Board.....................................................2

About the Black Student Association..................................................................2

Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kennard Brown....................3

BSA Awards Program.................................................................................................. 4

BSA Awards Mistress of Ceremonies....................................................................5

BSA Awards Keynote Speaker.................................................................................6

BSA Award Honorees............................................................................................. 7-13

THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Black Student Association Executive Board | 2021 – 2022 Officers President Alexandria Dixon, College of Dentistry

Treasurer Briana Spruill-Harrell, College of Graduate Health Sciences

Vice President Mecca Gordon, College of Pharmacy

Social Chair Jessica Kariuki, College of Medicine

Secretary Raven Reese, College of Dentistry

Service Chair Kelsey Long, College of Pharmacy

College Representatives Dentistry: Sharon Mainya

Medicine: Okeoghene Ogaga

Graduate Health Sciences: Perri “PJ” Johnson

Pharmacy: Delvin Russell

Health Professions: Allison Nance

Advisors Dr. Dustin Fulton Assistant Dean, College of Medicine

The Black Student Association (BSA) is an interdisciplinary organization founded in 1992 by African American students at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and is open to all students regardless of ethnic background, discipline, or other affiliations. The purpose of the organization is to contribute to the success of its members through education, training, and community engagement. The BSA serves as a bridge for all members across all six colleges at UTHSC. 2

Executive Vice Chancellor Dear Friends, Welcome to the 2022 BSA Awards Ceremony! This year is a special one for the Black Student Association (BSA) as it marks the organization’s 30th anniversary here at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). Through this annual event, the BSA continues to recognize the accomplishments of graduating African American students in the Colleges of Dentistry, Graduate Health Science, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor is proud of the work of the BSA, and I salute the honorees for their many contributions to our University, the community, and their respective profession.

My longtime support of this event is a source of pride for UTHSC. Recognition through this awards ceremony not only highlights the accomplishments of our students, but also recognizes the value of promoting an inclusive environment in which students from a variety of backgrounds can learn. UTHSC is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunity! On behalf of the University administration, I extend congratulations to all honorees whose steadfast dedication and commitment to scholastic achievement and service have earned them this recognition. Best wishes for continued success!

Sincerely,

Kennard Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

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THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

BSA VIRTUAL AWARDS PROGRAM Welcome......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Arianna Poindexter Anchor/Reporter, WMC Action News 5 Keynote Address............................................................................................................................................................................................ Dr. Neal Beckford Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery College of Medicine

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS College of Dentistry College of Graduate Health Sciences College of Health Professions College of Medicine College of Nursing College of Pharmacy

Closing Remarks............................................................................................................................................................................................... Dr. Dustin Fulton BSA Advisor Assistant Dean, College of Medicine Alexandria Dixon BSA President, College of Dentistry

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MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Arianna Poindexter WMC Action News 5

Arianna Poindexter is a weekend evening anchor and reporter for WMC Action News 5. Prior to working in the Bluff City, she worked as a reporter and anchor in Savannah, Georgia.

As a journalist, Arianna has covered several national stories including the removal of the confederate flag from the South Carolina State House, the historic flooding in Columbia, South Carolina, and she helped lead team coverage when Hurricane Matthew devastated parts of the Southeast United States.

Arianna grew up in a military family (Go Navy!) and spent her childhood moving all over the United States, from California to Washington, D.C. – even living outside of the country in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Arianna earned a B.J. in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Missouri Alumni Association.

When she’s not reporting, you can find her shopping, binge-watching a good show, and spending time with her husband.

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THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Neal Beckford, MD Dr. Neal Beckford is Board Certified in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and practices General Otolaryngology, specializing in head and neck surgery with an emphasis in the surgical treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders. He also demonstrates significant expertise in the evaluation and treatment of voice, speech, and swallowing disorders in addition to the treatment of paranasal sinus diseases. Dr. Beckford earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He attended medical school and completed a surgical internship at Howard University in Washington, D.C. After medical school he completed residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Beckford has been part of the Department of Otolaryngology in the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as fulltime or clinical faculty for 35 years.

He served as President of the Bluff City Medical Society from 1999-2000 and is also on the Board of Trust for Opera Memphis and the Board of Directors for the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society. Dr. Beckford is a proud member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators, and several other professional societies and organizations.

Dr. Beckford is married with three adult children. In his spare time, he enjoys music, cycling, exercising, and spending time with his family.

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HONOREE Alexandria DeLynn Dixon College of Dentistry

Alexandria Dixon, a native Memphian, is a graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. In preparation for her future dentistry career, she was an officer in Xavier’s predental organization.

Dixon was inducted into Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society as well as Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Heath Career Honor Society. With a love for volunteering and helping her community, she was passionate about her work with New Orleans’ Mission of Mercy dental clinics.

In Memphis, her spirit of service continues. Dixon currently volunteers at the Mid-South Mission of Mercy clinics and with the College of Dentistry’s emergency clinic. She is a student assistant for the Tennessee Institute for Pre-Professionals program, acting as a liaison between program participants and faculty.

Other activities include serving as the treasurer of the Student National Dental Association and former treasurer and current president of the Black Student Association. After graduation, she will enter an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency.

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THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

HONOREE Za’kinna Conner College of Dentistry

Za’kinna Conner, a native of Marks, Mississippi, attended Coahoma Community College of Clarksdale, and received her Associate of Arts degree in pre-dental hygiene.

To prepare herself for the dental academic setting, she attended Delta Technical College and became certified in dental assisting. While a student at Dental Technical College, she exhibited outstanding citizenship and student professionalism, and thus earned the title of student ambassador.

As a member of the dental hygiene community at the UTHSC College of Dentistry, she mentors junior students and often volunteers to give back to the community through the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, Give Kids A Smile, and Love Thy Neighbor outreach programs.

Her animating spirit and disciplined approach to learning make her particularly well-loved by her peers and teachers alike.

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HONOREE Chidi Zacheaus

College of Graduate Health Sciences Chidi Zacheaus has made a name for himself for his research in biology and immunology. Additionally, he has invested equal energy in leading the cause for entrepreneurs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and in the greater Memphis community, while also pushing for social justice.

He served as the executive director of the Memphis Scipreneur Challenge, which for six years has created a platform for medical researchers to promote their work in product development before judges, who ultimately choose the project most likely to succeed. Zacheaus was one of the early winners of the challenge, which is sponsored by Life Science Tennessee.

Zacheaus’ goal is to make Memphis a hub of business development, and he pursues it while working on a PhD in biology and immunology at UTHSC. His advice to new researchers is to be confident to tell their own story in a compelling way. “It’s a skill that is so critical, and it can be applied to any field,” he says.

He is praised in his college for the energy he brings to his work, which inspires colleagues, faculty, and staff.

He has served as president of the Graduate Student Executive Council and leads weekly discussions on social justice issues.

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THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

HONOREE Tedrin Elion

College of Health Professions Tedrin Elion, a third-year Master of Occupational Therapy student, is known across his department for his academic excellence, professionalism, and commitment to the community.

He stretches himself by repeatedly taking on challenges, including serving as the point person for organizing student participation in the virtual information sessions early in the pandemic. Even though, he’s not fond of public speaking, he volunteered to participate in a panel discussion.

Occupational therapy was Elion’s first choice. And it’s personal, he says.

“I decided I wanted people to choose their ability over their disability, as I’ve done many times myself.”

He regularly blogs and posts about his occupational therapy experiences on Instagram, helping others through his experiences.

Department leaders describe Elion as a humble person who is caring, compassionate and keeps a positive attitude, regardless of the situation.

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HONOREE Alexus Rias

College of Medicine Alexus Rias has truly distinguished herself in the College of Medicine for her academic achievement and community service. Her peers and faculty recently nominated her for the Hand Scholarship, based on her exemplary manner and demonstration of humanistic characteristics. Alexus exhibits a sense of caring, empathy and understanding and shows sensitivity to social and cultural needs.

In addition to being an outstanding scholar, Rias gives back. She serves on the executive board for the Council for International and Area Outreach (CIAO), whose mission is to promote awareness of global and local health care disparities.

She also volunteers as the community outreach assistant for the Wellness and Stress Clinic, which provides supervised primary health care to the uninsured and underserved patient population. In this role, she aids in the operation of the clinic by coordinating student volunteer participation.

Rias was selected by her peers on the Medical School Executive Council to serve on the College of Medicine admission committee and to serve as one of the Professionalism Representatives for the Class of 2022.

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THE 30TH ANNUAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

HONOREE Latoria Boyland College of Nursing

Latoria Boyland has a heart for people experiencing homelessness and anyone who needs help accessing care for mental illness. Boyland, a psychiatric nurse at Lakeside Behavioral Health System, will graduate in May with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Concentration. She recently started Tori Talks LLC, an organization promoting mental health awareness. Her goal is to normalize conversations about mental health through education and community involvement.

Tori Talks segments are broadcast on Facebook Live each Monday. The sessions include guests from health care, law enforcement and the clergy, among other professions.

When reaching out to the community, Boyland tries to incorporate meals and other basic needs to underline her message.

In 2021, Tori Talks served lunch to 200 men and women through a partnership with Memphis Union Mission. In another event, the group served more than 600 staff at t he Memphis Police Department. It provided lunch, blankets, and haircuts for a Thanksgiving event.

Boyland received the UTHSC Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Award.

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HONOREE Amelia Thompson College of Pharmacy

Amelia Thompson graduated from Alcorn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. She is currently a fourth-year pharmacy student and demonstrates leadership, professionalism, and commitment to community service.

During her time at UTHSC, Amelia has been an effective leader, demonstrated by serving as the SNPhA president from 2020 to 2021. As president, she oversaw 200 service efforts across all three campuses, playing an integral role in the chapter being recognized as a national finalist for the chapter of the year. Amelia also spearheaded membership efforts for recruitment and retention, resulting in the chapter winning the Overall Chapter of the Year Award and the Chauncey I. Cooper Excellence Award for the Large Chapter of the Year during the SNPhA virtual national convention in November 2020.

Amelia has been awarded the University Scholars Diversity Scholarship in 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2021-2022, as well as the 2020-2021 Seldon D. Feurt Memorial Scholarship.

With a passion for community service, she has volunteered with Mustard Seed Tutoring and with flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, as well as provided vital screenings at numerous health fairs. After graduation, Amelia plans to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Proud Sponsor of the BSA Awards

uthsc.edu/executive-vice-chancellor

Congratulations to the 2022 BSA Award Honorees

Alexandria DeLynn Dixon College of Dentistry

Za’kinna Conner College of Dentistry

Alexus Rias College of Medicine

Chidi Zacheaus College of Graduate Health Sciences

Latoria Boyland College of Nursing

Tedrin Elion College of Health Professions

Amelia Thompson College of Pharmacy

The 30th Annual Black Student Association Virtual Awards Ceremony February 25, 2022 Presented by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor Special thanks to the following: Dr. Peter Buckley (Chancellor) Dr. Kennard Brown (EVC/COO) College of Dentistry College of Graduate Health Sciences College of Health Professions College of Medicine College of Nursing College of Pharmacy UTHSC Office of Communications & Marketing Holliday Flowers Sage Creative

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.