BARBARA ROSS-LEE, sister of Diana Ross, became the first African American woman to head a medical school in the United States when she was appointed dean of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Ross-Lee was born in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology from Wayne State University in 1965. In 1969, while working for the National Teaching Corps, she earned her Master of Arts degree in teaching special populations. In 1973, Ross-Lee earned her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2001, Ross-Lee became dean of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and vice president of Health Sciences and Medical Affairs. Dr. Ross-Lee has received a number of awards, including an honorary doctorate degree from the New York Institute of Technology.
