Dr. Carol F. Anderson is named 2017 Woman of the Year by the National Association of University Women (NAUW) Elizabeth City Branch.

Dr. Carol F. Anderson, faculty director of the ECU School of Dental Medicine Community Service Learning Center-Elizabeth City, was honored recently with the title 2017 Woman of the Year at a banquet hosted by the National Association of University Women (NAUW) Elizabeth City Branch.

Dr. Anderson directs ECU’s dental center in Elizabeth City, N.C., where fourth-year students and residents gain experience caring for patients at reduced fees. The center, which opened in 2013, is one of ECU’s eight centers across the state addressing the shortage of dentists in rural and underserved regions.

“I was delighted to be nominated for the award,” said Dr. Anderson, “especially when I learned that the person who nominated me was one of our patients as well as a member of the National Association of University Women Elizabeth City Branch.”

Dr. Carol F. Anderson was named 2017 Woman of the Year by the National Association of University Women (NAUW) Elizabeth City Branch.

Dr. Anderson received her DDS degree from University of Maryland and holds a master of science in health science administration from Towson University. She completed a certificate in health care administration from ECU in June 2017. Prior to moving to Elizabeth City and joining ECU, she served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her interest in dentistry began when a family friend of her parents “let” her work as his dental assistant. As she watched the dentist work she decided, “I can do that!” After dental school, she spent several years in private practice before entering dental education; first, overseeing daily operation of a student clinic and ultimately as the director of a satellite clinic.

Dr. Anderson split her time as faculty member treating HIV+ patients and providing clinical instruction to students working and treating patients with special needs.

She is also a former Harry O. Bruce Legislative Scholar with the American Dental Education Association. As a Bruce Scholar, her focus was researching and lobbying for dental education and continued funding for the Ryan White Care Act.

She believes that a healthy oral environment contributes to a person’s overall health and that prevention is key to achieving health.

Dr. Anderson is originally from Washington, D.C., but spent most of her formative years in suburban Maryland. She is married and has two grown children.

The NAUW banquet also honored Dr. Kiera Gilliam, an Elizabeth City pharmacist; Mrs. Wendy James, a registered nurse at the EC Veterans Center in Elizabeth City; Ms. Pamela Spruill, a registered nurse at Edenton Public Schools; and Mrs. Dianne Winslow, a member of the NAUW Elizabeth City Branch.

The National Association of University Women nationally dates back to 1910. The organization seeks to serve women, youth, and disadvantaged persons in the community and in developing countries by addressing educational issues, advancing the status of women’s issues, and strategically partnering with allied organizations.