Dr. Barkley Honored As “Diversity Visionary”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has selected Dr. Lisa Barkley, the UCF College of Medicine’s assistant dean for diversity and inclusion, as a recipient of its “Diversity Visionary Award.”

“This is the only national individual honor in higher education of its kind and is being presented to Dr. Barkley as a tribute to her past and present contributions, future vision, dedication and long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, the publication’s publisher. “She is truly an inspiration to all of us who are working so diligently to make a difference in the lives of all underrepresented individuals.”

Board-certified in family, sports and adolescent medicine, Dr. Barkley joined the College of Medicine in 2010 after serving as Delaware State University’s associate vice president for health and wellness and founding dean of the College of Health and Public Policy.  She also cares for patients at UCF Pegasus Health, the College of Medicine physician practice. “I am tremendously honored and humbled by this award,” she said. “It reflects the dedication of the entire College of Medicine in being the medical school that belongs to us all.”

In its award nomination, the College of Medicine wrote, “As a teacher, physician and role model, Lisa Barkley’s goal is to celebrate the differences that make us stronger.” Her nomination included the following accomplishments:

 Dr. Barkley organized the 2013 Student Symposium sponsored by the Florida Alliance for Health Professions Diversity to help minority middle, high school, undergraduate and graduate students from across Florida be successful in health professions. The gathering featured breakout sessions, interactive demonstrations and a keynote address by the Dr. Louis Sullivan, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

She pioneered the college’s Health Explorers and Leaders (HEAL) program, a pipeline for about 100 local middle and high school students that’s designed to expose students from medically underserved communities to career options in research and healthcare.

With HEAL as a model, Orlando officials recently announced a “Science for Success” partnership designed to designed to increase job opportunities in healthcare for Orlando’s neediest residents.

Dr. Barkley began diversity Lunch and Learns in January 2014 to help faculty, staff and students better understand, communicate and engage in an ever-changing world.

In April, Orlando honored Dr. Barkley with one of its BLUEPRINT Women of Distinction Awards for achievements in career, community leadership and personal character.