WSSU names new health sciences dean amid program growth

Three years ago, Dr. Cheryl A. Thaxton helped launch innovative graduate nursing programs at an academic medical university in Texas that trains doctors, pharmacists, researchers and physical therapists.

Thaxton, who in 2010 established a palliative care program at a leading national pediatric hospital, brings her experience in building and advancing healthcare programs to Winston-Salem State University at a pivotal time of growth. Her recent appointment as dean of the School of Health Sciences and chief nursing administrator comes as WSSU expands its portfolio of health sciences programs and initiatives, including two new degrees in public health.

She also joins at a pivotal moment for the Division of Nursing, where new investments in academic standards, faculty, and clinical preparation are positioning the program for its strongest outcomes yet.

This semester for the first time, WSSU is offering a Bachelor of Science in public health. Next spring, the university plans to offer a Master of Public Health with a concentration in emergency preparedness and disaster management. The MPH will be the first offered by a North Carolina historically Black college or university.

Together, the new degree programs, coupled with Thaxton’s more than 30 years of distinguished experience in nursing practice, education, research and academic leadership, will complement WSSU’s well-established health sciences programs and initiatives and expand the pipeline of healthcare professionals entering a workforce facing shortages nationally and statewide.

The need is significant. State officials project that North Carolina will face a shortage of approximately 12,500 registered nurses and 5,000 licensed practical nurses by 2033.

WSSU’s participation in the new Nursing Fellows Forgivable Education Loan Pilot Program, included in the recently approved state budget, positions the university to help educate the next generation of nurses through a statewide initiative designed to address North Carolina’s healthcare workforce needs.

The national shortage of healthcare professionals is felt most acutely in rural and underserved communities, according to Thaxton, who earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Hampton University, her Master of Arts in nursing from New York University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from George Washington University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

“Research shows that patients tend to trust and engage more readily with providers who share or understand their background, contributing to better communication and stronger health outcomes,” Thaxton said. “WSSU’s School of Health Sciences has long served as a critical pipeline for the nation’s healthcare workforce, training students who often return to serve the very communities that shape them.

“The strength of a region’s healthcare system depends in part on a steady supply of well-trained professionals close to home,” Thaxton continued. “WSSU’s School of Health Sciences fills that need for the Piedmont Triad and beyond, preparing graduates who go on to strengthen hospitals, clinics and health systems throughout the region.”

Dr. Nadia Harris earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from WSSU. 

“As an undergraduate nursing student at WSSU, social justice and cultural competence were deeply embedded in my education,” said Harris, a family nurse practitioner in Clemmons. “Those principles helped shape me into the nurse and healthcare provider I am today. They taught me that providing excellent care goes beyond clinical knowledge and requires understanding the whole person, building trust, recognizing the unique experiences and needs of each patient and advocating for equitable, compassionate care.”

Harris said her experience in WSSU’s DNP program further strengthened that foundation by teaching her how to critically evaluate research and translate evidence into practice to improve outcomes for patients and communities. 

Stories like Harris’ illustrate the impact of WSSU’s health sciences programs — and the opportunity Thaxton now has to help expand that impact.

Chancellor Bonita J. Brown said Thaxton’s national recognition and experience in pediatric and adult hospice and palliative care will be key to continuing WSSU’s upward trajectory in health sciences.

“Winston-Salem State University is at an important moment of growth in health sciences, and Dr. Thaxton brings the leadership, experience and vision we need to build on that momentum,” Brown said. “As we expand our academic programs, strengthen our partnerships and prepare more graduates to meet critical healthcare workforce needs, her leadership will be instrumental in positioning WSSU for even greater impact in Winston-Salem and across North Carolina.”

The university’s expanding role in preparing the healthcare workforce also aligns with “We Are Winston-Salem,” one of four pillars of Brown’s strategic plan for WSSU, “We Are Rising,” unveiled in March.

The School of Health Sciences’ full-time faculty are central to its academic mission, teaching the majority of course sections and generating a significant share of student credit hours, while adjunct faculty provide additional expertise and support across its programs.

WSSU offers doctoral degrees in physical therapy and nursing practice and master’s degrees in healthcare administration, occupational therapy, rehabilitation counseling and nursing. It also offers a family nurse practitioner certificate and undergraduate degrees in medical laboratory science, exercise science, healthcare management, rehabilitation studies and therapeutic recreation.

Beyond its academic programs, the university has several strategic initiatives supporting its growing health sciences enterprise.

For example, WSSU’s physician assistant pathway partnership, established in 2024 with Wake Forest University School of Medicine, is intended to encourage WSSU students to pursue careers as physician assistants.

WSSU’s Virtual Hospital Simulation Training Lab allows students to practice clinical care in realistic healthcare settings before entering clinical rotations.

The university’s Eye Bridge Scholarship, created in 2025 by alumnus Dr. Gabriel Russell to increase the number of Black and other underrepresented optometrists, covers costs including the Optometry Admission Test, applications and study materials.

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Stevie L. Lawrence II said Thaxton’s arrival raises the bar for health sciences at WSSU, and he is excited about where the university is headed.

“Our national search for the new health sciences dean produced many talented individuals, but Dr. Thaxton quickly rose to the top,” Lawrence said. “She is nationally renowned and an expert in nursing, for which WSSU has long been known. I look forward to working with her and to witnessing firsthand the difference having someone of her expertise will make as Winston-Salem State University continues embracing excellence in health sciences and all disciplines.”

Thaxton said her focus will be on building WSSU’s existing strengths while preparing students to meet the healthcare needs of the communities they will serve.

“Every graduate of WSSU is part of the next generation of healthcare in this country, strengthening the workforce our communities depend on,” Thaxton said. “As our programs grow, my hope is to continue building a place where excellence, collaboration and service are all one and the same and where every student leaves ready to lead.”