Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Hughes Harris

Cynthia Hughes Harris, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA serves as Professor and Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A&M University. She received Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois in Chicago and in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. As Dean, Dr. Hughes Harris is responsible for the administration and management of academic programs in health sciences, cardiopulmonary sciences, health care management, health informatics, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Prior to assuming the position at Florida A&M University, Dr. Hughes Harris served as Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Columbia University in New York City.

Much of Dr. Harris’ recent professional career has focused on research related to the prevention of high-risk behaviors in urban populations. She successfully incorporated AIDS education and prevention programs into the Chicago high school system. Later, she initiated similar programs to reduce high-risk behaviors in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City.

As a researcher and as a program developer, Dr. Harris also has considerable experience working with issues of aging as part of her membership with the Geriatric Education Consortia of New York City and she is currently working with the Florida State University Medical School on the development of a Geriatric Education Center that will address the health needs of aging populations in north Florida, southern Alabama and south Georgia.

Dr. Harris is also spearheading initiatives focused on the eventual elimination of health disparities within economically and educationally disadvantaged groups. In this capacity, she serves as principal investigator for funded programs sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of minority students successfully entering health professions. Additionally, she is the Principal Investigator for an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health/Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities which includes research in community empowerment as an approach to the elimination of health disparities in rural and urban settings.

Dr. Harris has a number of publications, professional presentations and grants that reflect accomplishments in a variety of health related arenas. As an occupational therapist, Dr. Harris is particularly sensitive to the importance of aging populations being able to maintain healthy lifestyles through daily activities within healthy environments. She is active in professional association activities including the American Occupational therapy Association, the National Society of Allied Health, and the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.