Meet Dr. Michele White, the first African American female professor at Mercer
Dr. Michele White served as the first African American female professor at Mercer University College of Pharmacy, hired by Dr. Hewitt W. “Ted” Matthews, and is a trailblazer whose impact spans pediatrics, public health, pharmacy industry, policy, community care, and natural healing.
While being “the first” is historic in itself, Dr. White’s legacy goes far beyond a title. A proud Spelman College alumna, she chose Mercer as the place where her calling in pharmacy would take shape, earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree here in 1988. From Mercer, she went on to pursue advanced training through both a general clinical pharmacy residency at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and a specialized pediatric pharmacy residency at Miami Children’s Hospital, fulfilling her long-standing dream of becoming a pediatric clinical pharmacist. Upon returning to Atlanta, she held a tri-funded academic and clinical role with Mercer University, Emory University, and Grady Memorial Health System, serving as Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Mercer and Director of Clinical Pharmacy at Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital.
Dr. White’s career is a testament to her unwavering passion for improving lives and transforming communities. She has made a lasting mark not only in clinical and academic pharmacy but also in the pharmacy industry. She served as a Medical Science Liaison for pharmaceutical companies and contributed her expertise to the cosmetic health field as a consultant for Silk2 Professional Hair Systems. Her commitment to natural healing and holistic wellness is equally remarkable: driven by her desire to educate communities about healthier living, she earned her certification as a farmer through Central State University Extension’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, teaching others how to nourish their bodies naturally.
Her commitment to serving communities in need became especially clear in 2004, when she established her own pharmacy practice within a nonprofit dedicated to underprivileged Atlanta residents with mental health challenges. At the same time, she served as Director of Pharmacy at Fulton County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, making a real difference in the lives of those often overlooked. This work serves as a powerful reminder that the skills and knowledge gained at Mercer can be used to truly transform lives.
Fun fact about Dr. White: “I meet no strangers, and my goal as a pharmacist… believe it or not, and for the remainder of my time in this earth realm, is to get people off their medications that don’t need them… because God created our bodies to heal itself!”
“Bloom where you are planted.” – Dr. Michele White
Want to learn more?
Read more about Dr. Whites’ natural healing here: Click here to explore more
National Pharmaceutical Association- Atlanta Gates City Chapter
