Tribute to Dr. Mary Starke Harper (9/28/06)
Dr. Mary Starke Harper, a leader in Minority Health, passed away on July 27 at her home in Columbus, GA.
Dr. Harper spent many years as a nurse in Veterans Administration Health Systems, and then became a leader and policymaker with the National Institutes of Health. It was this role that catapulted her to the helm of the leadership team that was charged with organizing the National Institutes of Health’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP).
Dr. Harper’s stellar leadership and superb thinking created the foundation for the MFP and has provided the backbone for its growth and development. This fellowship has been instrumental in providing intellectual, financial, and social support for thousands of minority scientists, doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other health professionals. In addition, the fellowship is the base from which many important scientific papers, clinical trials, and policy studies have originated.
Dr. Harper was a dynamic, well educated, brilliant, and dedicated professional. Her memory will forever linger in the hearts and minds of Fellows, patients, and her many colleagues and friends.
You are being encouraged to honor and support Dr. Harper’s legacy by making generous contributions to the Dr. Mary Starke Harper Scholarship Fund to the attention of the following:
Dr. Mary Starke Harper Scholarship Fund
Attn: Kim Rice Audrey Roland
Assistant Vice President
Assistant Branch Manager
Regions Bank
P.O. Box 1377
Columbus, GA 31902-1377
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