Jeanne Sinkford

Jeanne Craig Sinkford (born 1933) is an American dentist and academic administrator. She was the first female dean of an American dental school. She is a senior scholar in residence at the American Dental Education Association and a professor and dean emeritus at the dental school of Howard University.

Biography

Sinkford attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., where she was a member of the cadet corps. At the age of 16, she enrolled in college at Howard University, studying psychology and chemistry before pursuing dental school. She later earned a Ph.D. in physiology at Northwestern University.^[1] In 1975, Sinkford was named dean of the dental school at Howard, becoming the first female dean at a U.S. dental school. Sinkford remained dean until 1991. Sinkford then became associate executive director of the American Dental Education Association.^[2]. She established its Center for Equity and Diversity in 1998, and directed it for 17 years.^[3]

In 2015, Sinkford received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Dental Association.^[4] She is also a past recipient of the Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Denists and the International College of Dentists.^[5]

Sinkford met her husband Stanley at Howard University. He became a cardiologist.^[1]

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