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Corbie-Smith honored for her commitment to eliminate health disparities

January 23, 2009

Dr. Giselle Corbie-Smith

Giselle Corbie-Smith, MD, MS, associate professor of social medicine, medicine and epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine, has received the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparity's (NCMHD) Health Disparities Leadership Award.

Corbie-Smith was recognized for her ability to integrate research, practice and policy in her work to improve the health of racial and ethnic minorities, including those living in rural communities through such programs as Project GRACE, Project ALMA, Project LeARN and Project EAST.

Colleagues Dionne M. Smith, PhD, MAEd, NCC, Melissa Green, MPH, Malika Roman Isler, MPH, Aletha Y. Akers, MD, Mysha Wynn, M.A.E.D., and Timothy S. Carey, MD, nominated Corbie-Smith for this distinguished honor.

John Ruffin, PhD, director of the NCMHD, presented the award at a banquet Dec. 17, 2008, held in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summit, "The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities," in National Harbor, MD at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

Included in his letter to Corbie-Smith, announcing this honor, Ruffin wrote, "Not only have you addressed both HIV/AIDS and mental health issues in numerous communities of color, you have empowered communities around North Carolina to be effective partners in taking control of their health. Your selfless commitment to building bridges and partnerships to close the gap in health disparities is among your many noteworthy contributions to the field."

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UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu.

Last updated February 18, 2009

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