Michele Halyard is an American radiation oncologist, academic administrator, and nonprofit organizer. She has been recognized in the field of challenging health disparities in the United States.[1]

Early life

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Michele Halyard's mother had breast cancer when Halyard was a child, inspiring her medical career.[2] Halyard graduated from Howard University's BS/MD program in 1984.[3][2] She then completed her residency in Radiation Oncology at Howard University Hospital.[3] She completed her fellowship at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.[4]

Career

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Halyard joined the Mayo Clinic in 1989.[4][5] She helped launch the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine's Arizona Campus and served as its first dean.[4][6] She was also the vice dean of Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.[3] As vice dean, she was responsible for the operational integration of the three medical school campuses in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida. She led the first-ever three-site accreditation of the medical school by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.[4] Halyard started the Center for Women's Health on the Arizona Campus and chaired the Department of Oncology.[6] She also served on the Board of Governors, serving as Vice Chair and Chair of the Diversity Committee, and on Mayo's board of trustees [6][7]

Halyard was involved in Mayo Clinic's antiracism efforts.[6] Having seen a lack of diversity and the negative implications on patient outcomes, she became "one of the most influential and impactful leaders in the movement toward health equity."[5] The Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Student Wellness committee named a lectureship series, featuring speakers from underrepresented backgrounds talking about their careers, after Halyard.[6]

In 2010, Halyard co-founded a nonprofit, Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer, focusing on health disparities.[6][8][5][9] In 2021, she founded the Coalition of Blacks Against Cancer.[10]

Halyard retired from the Mayo Clinic in 2023.[4]

Personal life

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Halyard is married to Kevin L. Robinson, the assistant police chief of Phoenix. She has three children.[11]

Awards

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  • 1996: YWCA Tribute to Women Award[12]
  • 2012: Positively Powerful Woman Award[13]
  • 2017: Arizona Most Influential Women[14]
  • 2019: Phoenix Magazine, The Great 48[15]
  • 2020: Arizona Women's Hall of Fame[3]
  • February 2022: All of Us Arizona Health Champion[1]
  • 2022: Maricopa County NAACP Honororee, Community Health Advocate, with Mr. Marion Kelly[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Michele Halyard | University of Arizona-Banner Health". az.joinallofus.org. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  2. ^ a b "Improving Quality of Life in Cancer Treatments: A Q&A with Alumna Michele Y. Halyard, M.D." The Dig at Howard University. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ^ a b c d "Michele Halyard". AWHF. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e Zuniga, Victoria (2024-01-30). "Michele Halyard, MD, FASTRO elected to the ACF Board". Arizona Community Foundation. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  5. ^ a b c Hames, Marty Velasco (February 28, 2023). "Black History Month: Dr. Michele Halyard on a lifetime commitment to health equity, inclusion and diversity". Mayo Clinic.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff. "Devotion to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Dean's Legacy at Mayo Clinic - News Archive - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science". Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ^ Martin, Dr Joel P. (2012-06-04). "Dr. Michele Y. Halyard: Radiation Oncologist, A Vital Force of Energy And Strength". Positively Powerful - Triad West, Inc. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  8. ^ "Local group, U.S. task force target disparity in Black breast cancer mortality rates - Daily Independent". The Daily Independent at YourValley.net. 2024-02-04. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  9. ^ "Improving Quality of Life in Cancer Treatments: A Q&A with Alumna Michele Y. Halyard, M.D." The Dig at Howard University. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  10. ^ "Michele Halyard". Arizona Community Foundation. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  11. ^ PPW Awards (2012-06-04). "Dr. Michele Y. Halyard: Radiation Oncologist, A Vital Force of Energy And Strength". Positively Powerful - Triad West, Inc. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  12. ^ "Tribute to Leadership Awards | YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix". ywcaaz.org. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  13. ^ Martin, Dr Joel P. (2012-05-09). "Positively Powerful Women To Receive Leadership Awards". Positively Powerful - Triad West, Inc. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  14. ^ Gossie, Michael (2017-07-23). "Most Influential Women: Michele Halyard, MD, Mayo Clinic". AZ Big Media. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  15. ^ "The Great 48". PHOENIX magazine. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  16. ^ "Archive Events". Maricopa NAACP. Retrieved 2024-08-27.