The Durham Early College of Health Sciences was recognized with the Community Impact Award for the best poster addressing community health, at the fourth Annual MaryAnn Black Distinguished Health Equity Symposium, held on February 5, 2026, at the Durham Convention Center.
During the symposium, Durham Early College High School Principal Joshua Brown presented the poster to award judges, highlighting the school’s mission, innovative academic model, and community-centered approach. His presentation emphasized how DECHS fosters early exposure to health careers and supports student success while contributing to local efforts to reduce health disparities.
Duke CTSI staff members Amanda McMillan and Becca Moreci, PhD, were authors on the poster, as were Duke Office of Clinical Research members Emily Boone, Jessica Cranfill, and Stephanie Freel, PhD.
The MaryAnn Black Distinguished Health Equity Symposium honors the legacy of the late MaryAnn Black, former State Representative and Associate Vice President for Community Relations at Duke University Health System. Black was widely known for her visionary leadership, commitment to collaboration, and dedication to building strong, lasting partnerships across sectors. The symposium reflects Duke’s ongoing commitment to working alongside communities to understand and address the root causes of health disparities.