Sonja Harris-Haywood, M.D., MS, MA
Dean
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
Friday, April 10, 2026
3pm-4:30pm PST
Workshop Description:
Health equity is not a buzzword at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine—it is a mission expressed through innovative research, transformative education, exceptional and compassionate health services, and policy-influencing thought leadership. This workshop is designed for community college and university premed students who want to see how a mission-driven medical school empowers diverse populations and trains physicians to improve the well-being of humankind. We will also discuss what admissions committees value in service, leadership, resilience, and community-engaged scholarship for mission-fit applicants. Sonja Harris-Haywood, M.D., MS, MA, Dean of Meharry’s School of Medicine, will share how her work in curriculum transformation, urban health partnerships, and NIH-funded research on culturally competent care informs Meharry’s approach to training future physicians. You can come, ask your questions, and get answers about preparing for medical school, aligning experiences with mission, and positioning your story with integrity. Most importantly, you will hear directly from the source, not second-hand rumors or advice from people who have no clue about the admission process. Leave with clearer priorities, renewed purpose, and actionable next steps.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Sonja Harris-Haywood, appointed Dean of Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in August 2023, is dedicated to advancing medical education and healthcare access for underserved communities. Prior to this, she was Associate Dean of Curriculum Integration at NEOMED College of Medicine, leading a curriculum transformation to integrate medical sciences with clinical practice. Her career at NEOMED began in 2010 when she joined as Senior Associate Dean and Director of the NEOMED-CSU “Partnership” for Urban Health and Primary Care, aiming to recruit and train minority physicians for underserved areas.
Before joining NEOMED, Dr. Harris-Haywood was an Assistant Professor at Case School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine. There, she led NIH-funded research on cultural competence and doctor-patient communication, developing tools to assess culturally competent care and its impact on patient outcomes.
Dr. Harris-Haywood earned her BS in chemistry from Seton Hall University in 1986 and began her career in cancer research at Lederle Laboratories. After completing her medical degree at UMDNJ Medical School in 1997, she pursued a family medicine residency and later engaged in research fellowships at UNC Chapel Hill and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she deepened her focus on reducing healthcare disparities through culturally competent care.
Dr. Harris-Haywood serves on several boards and mentors students and professionals. She is married to Dr. Morris T. Haywood, a proud mother of three.
Register for Free:
What: Inside Meharry Medicine: Advancing Health Equity Through Research, Education, Care, and Policy
When: Friday, April 10, 2026, 3 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
You will receive an immediate email confirmation of your registration from Zoom. PLEASE check your SPAM or JUNK folder, as the email might be directed there. Additionally, you will receive an email reminder from Zoom ONE hour before the event, sent to the same email address you used for registration.
