Keisha Bentley-Edwards

Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University’s School of Medicine and Associate Director of Research at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. Her work focuses on how race, gender, and racism influence health and social outcomes, particularly for African Americans. She leads NIH-funded research on religion’s role in cardiovascular disease risk and has contributed to studies on health equity, maternal mortality, and systemic racism’s impact on public health.

Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary scholarship addresses racial/ethnic socialization, health disparities, and the intersection of race, gender, and culture. Key areas include Black women’s resilience, faith-based health interventions, and the sociopolitical factors affecting Black communities. She co-directs Duke CTSI’s Center for Equity in Research, advancing racial equity frameworks in research design.

Leadership & Community Impact: Dr. Bentley-Edwards advises policymakers and media on racial justice issues, publishes op-eds on systemic inequities, and collaborates with community organizations. She is part of Duke’s 2025 ALICE leadership development cohort. Her work bridges academia and practice to promote health equity through culturally relevant strategies.