Medeva Ghee Ph.D. joined the Brown community in 2006 as assistant director of the Leadership Alliance and was appointed executive director in July 2011. In this role, she expanded the profile, reach, and impact of the national consortium dedicated to increasing the participation of underrepresented students in graduate and doctoral programs. To date, more than 800 Leadership Alliance alumni have successfully completed Ph.D. or MD-Ph.D. degrees.
Ghee also made lasting contributions to the Brown public health community. She applied her expertise as a laboratory systems specialist for the Clinton Health Access Initiative to develop a course on HIV/AIDS in Africa that engaged nearly 200 Brown undergraduates. She also advised students, supported the School’s Health Equity Scholars Program, and served the BSS department and the School as an invaluable partner on numerous initiatives.
“Medeva was a consummate department citizen,” said Christopher Kahler, professor and chair of behavioral and social sciences. “A passionate and dedicated teacher, trusted and wise colleague, and key member of our initial diversity working group, our doctoral admissions committee, and our efforts to highlight alternative career pathways for our students, we will very much miss her numerous contributions.”