Dr. Marshala Lee-McCall serves as Medical Director of the Harrington Trust at ChristianaCare's iREACH Research Institute and as faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. A family physician, educator, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Lee-McCall is dedicated to advancing health equity, mentoring the next generation of physicians and scientists, and expanding opportunities for students from historically underserved communities to pursue careers in medicine. Her commitment to service and educational opportunity was shaped in part by her experience with the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership–a program that helped transform an ambitious dream into a lifelong mission.
How did your experience with the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership influence your career path?
I participated in the Brown-Tougaloo Early Identification Program (EIP) '07, which provided a direct pathway from Tougaloo College to Brown Medical School, MD '11. The Brown-Tougaloo Partnership changed the trajectory of my life. It transformed what once seemed like an ambitious dream into a tangible reality. The program provided outstanding academic preparation, mentorship, financial support, and, perhaps most importantly, a community of people who believed in my potential before I fully realized it myself.
The partnership taught me that excellence and service go hand in hand. It inspired my lifelong commitment to mentoring students, increasing diversity in medicine, and ensuring that talented students have access to the same opportunities that helped shape my career. Much of what I do today–from leading pipeline programs to mentoring premedical students and advocating for equitable healthcare–is rooted in the values instilled through the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership.
What are you currently involved in that you would like the BTP community to know about?
At ChristianaCare, I serve as Medical Director of the Harrington Trust, where I lead initiatives designed to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve community health. I direct the Harrington MCAT Preparation Program, which has supported more than 150 aspiring physicians by providing MCAT preparation, mentorship, and professional development. I also oversee research and educational initiatives that promote health equity and expand opportunities for students interested in medicine and biomedical research.
As faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, I teach residents about community medicine, health equity, and the importance of building authentic partnerships with the communities we serve. I also serve as an INBRE research mentor, guiding undergraduate students as they gain hands-on experience in biomedical research and prepare for careers in medicine and science.
I am honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership Advisory Board, where I have the opportunity to help strengthen the partnership, support current students, and engage alumni in advancing the program's mission. I also serve on the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium, working with multidisciplinary partners to improve maternal and infant health across the state.
As Delaware prepares to welcome its first in-state medical school, I am excited to help shape the future physician workforce while continuing to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the pipeline of future healthcare leaders.
Are there any opportunities you'd like to share with our BTP community?
Absolutely. I am always eager to connect with students interested in medicine, public health, clinical research, and health policy. Through ChristianaCare, we regularly offer physician shadowing opportunities, research experiences, summer internships, mentoring, and professional development programs for students at various stages of their educational journey.
The Harrington MCAT Preparation Program opens each spring and supports aspiring physicians with demonstrated financial need who are committed to addressing health disparities. The program provides MCAT preparation, individualized mentoring, and professional development to help students successfully navigate the medical school application process.
For medical students, the Harrington Trust is proud to serve as one of the sponsors of ChristianaCare's Visiting Clerkship Program in collaboration with our institutional partners. The program provides fourth-year medical students with opportunities to complete clinical rotations, receive mentorship, and explore residency training at ChristianaCare.
I also welcome opportunities to meet one-on-one with students who are exploring careers in medicine or public health. Whether discussing career planning, preparing for medical school, identifying research opportunities, or navigating the physician pathway, I encourage students to schedule a mentoring session.
Finally, I encourage students to build relationships with BTP alumni. Our network is one of the partnership's greatest strengths, and I believe we have tremendous potential to expand mentoring, networking, research collaborations, and career development opportunities across generations of BTP scholars.
A Legacy of Opportunity
When we asked Dr. Lee-McCall if there was anything else she'd like readers to know, she shared this reflection:
The Brown-Tougaloo Partnership is far more than a pipeline program. It is a family and a legacy. It demonstrates what is possible when institutions invest intentionally in talent, equity, and opportunity.
As we celebrate more than six decades of this remarkable partnership, I hope we continue to strengthen alumni engagement, build an accessible alumni database, and create meaningful opportunities for graduates to mentor, collaborate with, and support current students. Every success story represents countless individuals who invested their time, wisdom, and belief in us. I am deeply grateful to those who paved the way, and I remain committed to paying that investment forward for future generations.
To every current BTP student, embrace every opportunity, seek mentors, support one another, and never underestimate your ability to lead and create meaningful change. The world needs your talents, your perspective, and your voice.