Juanyce D. Taylor

Juanyce D. Taylor, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center with dual appointments in the School of Population Health and School of Health Related Professions. She serves in the Office of the Dean of SPH and directs the Interdisciplinary Learning Lab for the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute (MEWI) for Elimination of Health Disparities, leveraging over 15 years of experience in federally funded health equity initiatives.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in International Development, University of Southern Mississippi (2012)
• MSEd in Counseling and Human Resources Education, Jackson State University (1998)
• BS in Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi (1995)
• Healthcare Executive Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, AAMC (2015)

Dr. Taylor's research centers on dismantling systemic barriers in healthcare through rigorous analysis of health disparities, implicit bias, and social determinants of health. Her work pioneers cultural competence frameworks and workforce development strategies, directly informing institutional policies on inclusive excellence. She integrates community-engaged methodologies with quantitative assessments to create actionable interventions for marginalized populations.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on equity-driven educational transformation. Her scholarship bridges STEM pedagogy with medical training during crises (e.g., COVID-19), develops competency models for inclusive teaching, and documents systemic interventions for diversifying healthcare pipelines. Recurring themes include dismantling the 'hidden curriculum' in medical education and creating structural accountability for diversity initiatives.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Fannie Lou Hamer Servant Leadership Award (2019)
• Helen B. Barnes, M.D. Diversity and Inclusion Award (2018)
• Diversity Leadership Award from NAMME (2017)
• Nelson Order Honoree at UMMC (2016)

As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Taylor has chaired or served on 12 doctoral committees across health administration and population science. Her $10M+ grant portfolio features sustained funding from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, NIH, and HRSA for projects including STEMI (science education during pandemics), EMPOWERU (diversity initiatives), and HEALING Fellows (community relations).

• Current: COVID-19 Relief Funding (W.K. Kellogg, 2020-present)
• Current: Women's Foundation Rapid Response Grants (2020-present)
• Past: HRSA Preventive Medicine Residency Program (2018-2019)

She leads MEWI's Interdisciplinary Learning Lab and chairs UMMC's Diversity Action and Accountability Review Team (D.A.A.R.T.), driving campus-wide initiatives through the Vice Chancellor’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion. Her work integrates historical context via the Medical Center Historic Site Workgroup to address systemic inequities in academic medicine.