BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Bluefield State University has announced that Dr. Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, FAPA, will serve as the keynote speaker for the inauguration of Dr. Darrin Martin as the 15th president of the university.
The event will take place at noon on August 20, 2025, at the historic Granada Theater in Bluefield.
The ceremony will also serve as a homecoming for Dr. Harris, a Bluefield native who is recognized nationally as a physician, public health leader, and advocate.
She is the CEO and Co-Founder of eMed, a digital healthcare company that developed the first FDA-authorized digital point-of-care testing and telehealth platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Harris also serves as Chief Health and Medical Editor for Everydayhealth.com.
Her career has spanned both clinical practice and health policy. She made history as the 174th president of the American Medical Association, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position.
She has led initiatives to address the opioid epidemic, expand behavioral health care, and promote health equity.
Raised in Bluefield, Dr. Harris earned a BA in psychology, an MA in counseling psychology, and an MD from West Virginia University. Her work in psychiatry and advocacy has made her a leader in children’s mental health, health policy, and public health.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Dr. Harris back to Bluefield, where her remarkable journey began,” said Dr. Darrin Martin, president of Bluefield State University.
“Her unwavering dedication to improving public health and her leadership in health equity align perfectly with the values of our university. Her presence at this historic event is a testament to the lasting impact that Bluefield State has on shaping leaders who make a difference in the world.”
The inauguration will celebrate the shared vision of Dr. Martin and the university community as they begin a new chapter of growth and achievement.
The event is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. It will be held at the Granada Theater, 303 E. Main St., Bluefield, WV. For more details or to RSVP, visit bluefieldstate.edu/inauguration.
