Editors: Ross-Lee's photo is available at:  www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ROSSLEE_BARBARA.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (April 6, 2000) -- Dean of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Barbara Ross-Lee will speak on "Breaking New Ground -- My Personal Story" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Ohio University's Anderson Auditorium in E.W.Scripps Hall. The first and only African-American female dean of a U.S. medical college, Ross-Lee will talk about the barriers she faced, the challenges she overcame and the support she received.

Ross-Lee completed a bachelor's of science degree in biology and chemisty and a master's degree in teaching special populations at Wayne State University.  She graduated from the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSC-COM) in 1973.  Formerly the chair of the department of family medicine and an associate dean for the health policy at MSC-COM, Ross-Lee was the first osteopathic physician to participate in the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship, where she served as legislative assistant for health to Senator Bill Bradley.  Ross-Lee also serves as executive director of the Institute for National Health Policy and Research and as executive director of the National Osteopathic Medicine Association. She has lectured widely and has also published more than 30 scholarly articles on a variety of medical and health-care issues. 

Ross-Lee was awarded the "Magnificent 7" Award in 1993 by Business and Professional Women/USA.  She has also received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine and an honorary doctorate from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology.  She was recognized for her contributions to the state and inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, 1998. 

Sponsored by the Office for Institutional Equity and the Black Student Union, the speech is the first of the Pathfinders series which highlights outstanding accomplishments by Ohio University faculty and staff.  A public reception will follow the speech.