February 2022: African American History Month

January 31, 2022

James Ashford

February is African American History Month. It’s the occasion to celebrate African American historical figures and their sometimes overlooked contributions to science, healthcare and other fields. Edwin Marshall, O.D., and Melvin Shipp, O.D. are two of these figures. While studying at the IU School of Optometry, these two students launched an initiative to recruit more minority students into optometry programs. Dr. Marshall also worked on creating a clinic to improve access to eye health in an underserved community. He would go on to become president of the NOA. Dr. Schipp has worked for a number of organizations, including the FDA. His research focuses on vision health and public policies and racial disparities.

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