Cherae M. Farmer, dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, is the new chair of the board of directors for the American Dental Education Association. She is the first Black woman to lead the organization in its 103-year history.
Dr. Farmer has more than three decades of experience in dental practice and education, including 11 years as dean of Meharry’s dental school. Before her current role, she was the school’s associate dean for academic and student affairs. As a scholar, her work focuses on oral health disparities, community outreach, and increasing minority representation in dental education. Outside of her work in academia, Dr. Farmer is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve with more than 20 years of service.
A graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, Dr. Farmer earned her doctor of dental surgery degree and her master’s degree in public health from Meharry Medical College.