In honor of Black History Month, NCAPA will highlight some outstanding Black PA leaders in North Carolina and share their accomplishments.
Donna F. Murray, DMSc., MS, PA-C, is a 1996 graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine Physician Associate Program and holds a Master of Science in Microbiology (1983) and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (1981), both from Howard University. She is also a graduate of the University of Lynchburg, where she earned a Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus in PA Education and curriculum development, including social determinants of health.
A 40-year veteran in healthcare services, Dr. Murray has served high health disparities and underserved communities in New York City, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and North Carolina. During her career, Dr. Murray founded two major healthcare initiatives. In 1992, she founded the African American Miracle Match Network, which was designed to increase the number of minorities on the National Bone Marrow Registry. In 1999, Dr. Murray founded Project HealthShare, Inc. /Charlotte Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, which provided health education, screening, and primary care to residents of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
Dr. Murray has served on several boards and committees including the Strategic Planning Committee for the Lenoir-Rhyne University College of Health Sciences and the Nominating Committee of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants. She has served as a facilitator for Project Access with both AAPA and PAEA. Dr. Murray is currently a member of the African Heritage PA Caucus and is Co-Chair for the caucus Leadership Development Committee
Dr. Murray currently serves as the Senior Director of Admissions/CASPA and Clinical Training Project Outreach Director for the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Opioid Response Network Clinical Sites Initiative. She is also actively engaged in teaching and is a clinical adjunct professor with the Morehouse school of Medicine PA Program and a visiting professor with Gardner-Webb University PA Program, Pfeiffer University PA Program, and a guest lecturer for Drexel University PA Program.
In 2010, Dr. Murray and her children founded the MGM Legacy Group, a family foundation supporting nonprofit organizations and providing support to families in need during the holiday season. She is the recipient of several honors and awards, including:
• 1994 Woman of Distinction in Healthcare recognition from the Housatonic Girl Scout Council,
• 2007 NCAPA Humanitarian PA of the Year,
• 2007 Pride Award winner as the founder of a Health and Wellness nonprofit,
• 2010 Servant Leadership Award from Pfeiffer University,
• 2010 Woman on the Move recognition from the Charlotte Chapter of the NAACP,
• 2013 Community Service Award from Mecklenburg County Health Department.
In 2018, Dr. Murray was inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants. She has also been recognized by Pride Magazine/Pride Communications as one of the 51 Most Powerful African American Women in Charlotte and by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut for her work with the National Marrow Donor Program. Dr. Murray is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., New Generation of African American Philanthropist (NGAAP)-Charlotte, and also a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.
The mother of two adult sons, Rahsaan age 29 and Jared age 26, Dr. Murray enjoys entertaining friends and family, listening to live jazz and traveling. She is a movie buff, a huge football fan and a triathlete.
