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 the associate executive director of 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. 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. As the associate executive director of the American Dental Education Association, Sinkford directs the association's Center for Equity and Diversity.

In 2015, Sinkford received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Dental Association. 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.

Sinkford met her husband Stanley at Howard University. He became a cardiologist.