[pt2025] Black History Month Spotlight: Joyce Nichols – Physician Assistant

[Byrd, Kenley E]

Dear Students,
As part of our Black History Month celebration, CPHS Student Affairs is highlighting remarkable Black professionals who have made significant contributions to the healthcare field. Today, we recognize Joyce Nichols, a pioneer as a Physican Assistant whose impact continues to shape the profession.
📌 About Joyce Nichols:
Joyce Nichols was the first woman and the first African American woman to become a formally educated physician assistant (PA). Initially working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Duke University, she overcame significant barriers—lack of military corpsman experience, financial challenges, and racial and gender biases—to enter and graduate from the Duke PA Program in 1970. Nichols played a key role in founding the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants and served as a preceptor and adjunct faculty member, mentoring countless medical and PA students. Her dedication to advocacy extended beyond healthcare, as she worked to improve housing conditions in Durham and served on multiple boards. Recognized for her humanitarian efforts, she received numerous awards, including the AAPA Paragon “Humanitarian of the Year” in 1996. Nichols passed away in 2012, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the PA profession and her community.
[https://e1.nmcdn.io/paea/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/J-Nichols-2.jpg/v:1-dynamic:1-aspect:1.4080459770115-fit:cover/J-Nichols-2--245.jpg]
Their dedication and achievements serve as an inspiration for all pursuing careers in healthcare. Stay tuned for more spotlights every Tuesday and Thursday throughout February as we continue to honor those who paved the way.

Best,

Kenley E. Byrd
Student Affairs Coordinator
Office of Admissions & Student Affairs
Campbell University | College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Click here<https://campbell.starfishsolutions.com/starfish-ops/instructor/serviceCatalog.html#/connection/5078835> <https://campbell.starfishsolutions.com/starfish-ops/dl/instructor/serviceCatalog.html?bookmark=connection/4810609/schedule> to schedule a meeting with me.
Maddox Hall CPHS Admissions Suite Office 119
t: 910.814.5693 | e: kebyrd at campbell.edu
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