Sharon Nicholson Harrell

Sharon Nicholson Harrell, DDS, MPH, FAGD was named chief diversity officer for FirstHealth of the Carolinas in January 2021. Dr. Harrell became affiliated with FirstHealth in October 1998 as the inaugural director of dental care. Since then, FirstHealth Dental Care has provided comprehensive dental care to over 28,000 underserved patients up to age 21, and the centers have received national attention as models for the delivery of care to low-income populations.

Dr. Harrell received her dental degree from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1987 where she also serves as an adjunct professor, and she completed an Advanced General Dentistry Residency at the University of Maryland Dental School in 1988. She attained her Master's in Public Health training at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health in 1990 and has achieved Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the International College of Dentists, and most recently, the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Harrell was also awarded the American Dental Association Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring for her work with high school students, dental students, dental auxiliary students from Montgomery Community College and Central Carolina Community College, and young dentists.