The American Association of Women Dentists recently named CDR Cecilia M. Brown, DC, USN, of Orange Park, Florida, the recipient of the 2019 Jeanne Hansen Bayless Uniformed Services Award.
AAWD President Elect Dr. Daphne Ferguson-Young, Professor and Program Director of the General Practice Residency Program at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, nominated CDR Brown for this esteemed award, stating, “I was CDR Brown’s dental school professor, and she’s always been a pleasure to work with and one of my hardest working dental students. Over the last 15 years, I have witnessed her development and growth from a female dental student to a dedicated, hardworking, compassionate, and professional woman dentist. In addition to her extraordinary commitment to the dental profession, as well as to her community and general public, CDR Brown honorably serves her country at an exemplary level as a Dental Officer in the United States Navy Dental Corps.”
About CDR BrownBorn in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Sparta, Georgia, CDR Brown is the oldest of three children of Willie and Sarah Brown. She currently resides in Orange Park, Florida, with her husband Sean Marshall and their son Chandler. She is stationed at the Naval Medical Readiness Training Command/Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, where she is the Department Head of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and psychology (1991) from Georgia College, in Milledgeville, CDR Brown attended the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Physician Assistant studies (1996). Afterward, she attended the University of Nebraska, in Omaha, where she received a master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies (2000). CDR Brown later attended Meharry Medial College School of Dentistry, where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (2008) and Webster University-Jacksonville, Florida, campus, where she received a Master’s in Health Care Administration (2013). In July 2017, CDR Brown became the first African American female to complete the U.S. Navy Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency. CDR Brown is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
In addition to the American Association of Women Dentists, CDR Brown is a member of the Georgia Dental Society, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, National Dental Association, National Naval Officers Association, and Military Officers Association of America. She is also a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
CDR Brown’s military honors include the U.S. Navy and Humanitarian Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer Device, Surface Warfare Medical Officer Qualification Device, National Defense Medal (with gold star), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Pistol Ribbon Sharpshooter Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal.
CDR Brown has been involved in a variety of humanitarian efforts, including a 15-day humanitarian mission to Peru with the Georgia Air National Guard; humanitarian and civic community outreach projects during port calls in five West African countries, during Africa Partnership Station 2009; and volunteer efforts as an oral surgeon with Florida Mission of Mercy (Ft. Meyers and Orlando) since 2018.
AAWD Director of Federal Services Carol Wong, DDS, MS, USPHS, states, “Just like Dr. Geraldine Napierski, the first recipient of this award in 1994, CDR Brown exemplifies all the achievements that this award recognizes. As the first African American female to train in the United States Navy Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery dental specialty and, presently, the only African American Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in the United States Dental Corps, CDR Brown continues to break down barriers and open doors for women in our dental profession. Bravo Zulu!”
About the Award
The American Association of Women Dentists presents the Jeanne Hansen Bayless Uniformed Services Award to a woman dentist who has made outstanding achievements as a uniformed dental officer and exhibits role model qualities that positively reflect the image of women dentists and commitment to the profession.