Diversity Training Series-facilitated by Dr. Jeanette South-Paul

Dr. Jeannette E. South-Paul was the Andrew W. Mathieson UPMC Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine from 2001 – 2020 retiring from Pitt in 2020 and repurposing for the next stage of her life. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, she served as a Medical Corps officer in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2001 while serving as Chair of Family Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and previously as Vice President for Minority Affairs at the same institution.

Dr. South-Paul was responsible for the educational, research and clinical activities of the undergraduate and graduate medical education, faculty practice, and community arms of 3 family medicine residencies and seven ambulatory clinical sites in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania and responsible for the academic missions of 5 additional UPMC Family Medicine residencies in Pennsylvania. She is a family physician with specific interests in the areas of cultural competence, maternity care, and health disparities in the community. She designed an investigator-initiated project to evaluate cultural aspects of contraceptive choice (Merck funded) that has been active since 2017.

Dr. South-Paul has served in leadership positions in the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADFM) to include serving as President of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians (USAFP) and the STFM.

After more than 10 years of service as a member of the Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees, Dr. South-Paul stepped off the Board to begin a new role as Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Meharry assuming this position in December of 2021. She is excited to collaborate with the academic leaders of the four schools of this historic institution as she continues to serve in academe.

Dr. South-Paul was elected to the Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine) in 2011, received the University of Pittsburgh 225th Anniversary Chancellor’s Medallion and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2015 and received the Allegheny County Medical Society Dietrich Humanitarian Award in February, 2018.

Dr. South-Paul is a sought after speaker by academic, clinical and community organizations as well as health industry groups who are seeking perspectives on health disparities, workforce diversity, leadership and racial and social justice.