On the evening of Tuesday, October 29, we received some sad news concerning one of our dear colleagues; Dr. Cheryl L. Clark passed away over the weekend.
Dr. Clark had more than 20 years of progressive experience in state government and public health fields. Since 2016, Dr. Clark directed AMCHP’s Epidemiology, Evaluation, & Metrics efforts, providing leadership for AMCHP’s internal/external equity operational platforms and metrics as well as implementation, technical assistance, and consultation on epidemiology, data, and evaluation for members, external partners, and AMCHP staff.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Dr. Clark galvanized the organization’s examination and response to health equity via internal and external partnership engagement and through member technical assistance and capacity-building efforts. Dr. Clark served as the staff liaison for AMCHP’s inaugural Health Equity Committee and co-chair of AMCHP’s Internal Equity Committee.
In prior positions, Dr. Clark served as a senior-level epidemiology consultant, manager of applied epidemiology units, federal/state grant manager, lead program evaluator, informatics consultant, and lead epidemiologist on state child and maternal death review committees housed at the Florida Department of Health.
Beyond Cheryl’s tremendous contributions to the maternal and child health field, Cheryl was incredibly funny, witty, and someone you wanted to be around. Cheryl was generous of heart and gave freely of her time to mentor, coach, and counsel our staff and people in the field alike. She was a particularly fierce champion for the next generation of Black women studying to become epidemiologists. Cheryl commanded respect from everyone in the way she spoke her mind and stood for beliefs regarding equity and justice. She also demonstrated a protective, loving, and kind spirit in the way she cared for her family. She approached life with a healthy stubbornness and ample bravery. She never ceased to amaze and surprise us, like when she shared her passion for playing electric guitar. She also could get down on the dance floor.
Dr. Clark attained a BS in Health Information Management Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MPH in Community Health Education from the University of South Florida, and attained her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Florida A & M. She was a registered health information administrator and a volunteer guardian ad litem in Florida.
Cheryl will be sorely missed by her AMCHP family. At a later date, we’ll rally and consider all of the ways that we can celebrate Cheryl’s life and her incredible contributions to our field. In the meantime, please keep Cheryl’s family and the AMCHP team in your thoughts and lifted during this difficult time.
Terrance E. Moore
Chief Executive Officer, AMCHP
