Office of the Dean

The School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS) is one of three health professional schools at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). The school was established in recognition of the need to provide access to quality education in a group of rapidly growing health professions. The school is divided into five divisions: Cardiopulmonary Science, Health Care Management, Health Informatics and Information Management, Occupational Therapy (which offer a Health Science–Occupation and Wellness Concentration) and Physical Therapy (which offer a Health Science–Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration).

Since its start in 1982, SOAHS has experienced continuous involvement in education, practice and research that has contributed to the strong reputation of each academic division within the school. Each division is accredited by its respective accrediting body. Overall, FAMU ranks as the number one producer of African-American allied health professionals in the State of Florida. SOAHS has been successful in attracting substantial extramural funding, and it has received over $4 million from the Department of Health and Human Services to support programs designed to increase the number of minorities and other underrepresented persons in the allied health professions.

After completing their degree requirements, highly trained professionals assume leadership roles in their discipline throughout the state and nation.

The mission of the School of Allied Health Sciences is to provide an enlightened and enriched academic, intellectual, moral, cultural, ethical, technological, and student-centered environment for the purpose of educating individuals to become competent allied health professionals who are capable of:

•    Complex critical thinking
•    Comprehensive communication skills
•    Interdisciplinary collaboration
•    Analysis and involvement in research processes
•    Improving the health status of under-represented and underserved populations
•    Lifelong learning

This mission will be accomplished through the contributions of dedicated faculty and staff that are capable of meeting student needs through inspired and creative teaching, exemplary scholarship and meaningful public, community, and professional service at local, state, national, and global levels.  As a result, students will be prepared to meet existing and emerging health care needs that will benefit the citizens of Florida, the nation, and the world.

The School of Allied Health Sciences, as an exemplary health professions entity within the Florida A&M University, views itself as a provider of the highest quality academic experiences at graduate and undergraduate levels, through excellence in student advising, teaching, research and service, in existing and emerging health care arenas, for the benefit of the citizens of Florida, the nation and the world.

The School of Allied Health Sciences considers the following to be core values for students and faculty: Scholarship, Ethics, Excellence, Openness, Collaboration, Diversity, Service Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Collegiality, Freedom, Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability, Courage, and Honesty.

Mary Simmons, Ph.D., MPH, RRT  Is the Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A&M University. She served as the Interim Dean and prior to her rotation she served as the Director of Cardiopulmonary Science in the School of Allied Health Sciences.  In that capacity, she was responsible for all aspects of the program, both administrative and educational. Administrative aspects include: fiscal planning, continuous review and analysis, planning and development, and the overall effectiveness of the program. Educational responsibilities include: teaching, curriculum development and review. Dr. Simmons provided leadership and conducted the necessary administrative functions for the development and effective operation of the Cardiopulmonary Science Program, in accordance with the rules and regulations of Florida A&M University and the Respiratory Therapy Accrediting Agency, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).  As the Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, she is responsible for the oversight and management of graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health administration as well as undergraduate programs in health science, health care management, health information management and cardiopulmonary science.  Dr. Simmons is a graduate of Florida A&M University at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in Public Health from Walden University. Her undergraduate degree is in Cardiopulmonary Science in which she remains an active practitioner and contributor to the field.  Her master and doctor degrees focused on epidemiology, communicable diseases, community and behavioral health, and environmental and occupational health.

Dr. Simmons has practiced as a Cardiopulmonary Specialist and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in adult critical care, pediatrics, neonatal trauma and treated chronically diseased patients such as HIV/AIDS, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), sarcoidosis and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Dr. Simmons is also credentialed in public health and has experience of child hood obesity, communicable diseases, needlesticks in the work place, and community health as a whole.

Errick D. Farmer, Ph.D., serves as the Associate Dean, Associate Professor of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Dr. Farmer holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from Florida State University; as well as a Master’s Degree in Applied Social Science, with a concentration in Public Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, both from Florida A&M University. Prior to his current position, Dr. Farmer currently served as an Associate Professor of Professional Leadership Development at Florida A&M University, School of Business and Industry. Dr. Farmer also worked as a Business Analyst within the FAMU – Division of Administrative and Financial Services, where he was responsible for supervision and leadership of Management Analysts and responsible for developing and managing administrative functions of assigned colleges and schools. Dr. Farmer also has held administrative positions within the Office of Academic Affairs, Sponsored Programs and initially started his career within the school of School of Allied Health Sciences, as a Coordinator. Dr. Farmer also has a background in policy and procedures, training, contract management and project management. Dr. Farmer’s research interests include African American males and females, graduation, historically black college and universities (HBCU), retention, professional development, higher education administration and student success, in which, he is well published. Dr. Farmer also is an inaugural member of the FAMU Provost’s Digital Learning Initiative, where the goal was to increase the campus-wide utilization of digital instruction. Dr. Farmer prides himself as a lifelong learner.

Yvonne Nelson-Langley, MSW serves as the Director of Student Affairs for the School of Allied Health Sciences. Mrs. Nelson-Langley earned a Master of Social Work Degree with a concentration in Administration and Policy from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Administration from the City University of New York – City College. Mrs. Nelson-Langley brings over twenty-five years of professional experience as an administrator working in the area of higher education, human and social services and program development in Tallahassee, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts.She most recently severed as Assistant Director of the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) and Coordinator of Special Projects for the School of Allied Health Sciences. Prior to that Mrs. Nelson-Langley was a Director in the Department of Children and Families Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health where she managed the Systems of Care Expansion HRSA Grant to ensure the implementation of the System of Care framework into the statewide mental health service delivery network. During her tenure in Boston, she served as the Director of Health Professions Education with the Center for Community Health, Education, and Research.  She is a former member of the adjunct faculty at Boston University Medical School and Northeastern University College of Nursing. Mrs. Nelson-Langley currently provides oversight and guidance for the Dean’s Office functions and operational procedures relevant to student support services. Her university service includes but is not limited to membership on the University Recruitment Data Council, University Academic Appeals and the University Retention Committees.

Gwendolyn K. Fillyau, M.A.S.S. serves as Special Assistant to the Dean in the School of Allied Health Sciences. Mrs. Fillyau received her B.S. degree in Clothing and Retailing and Advance Certification in Human Resource Relations at Florida A&M University.  Mrs. Fillyau has served Florida A&M University for 35 years in the areas of the Budget Office;  Office of Academic Affairs, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Administrative Services Assistance Program. Mrs. Fillyau has served as a liaison between the Administration, College of Pharmacy, School of Nursing  and the Undergraduate Student Success Center.  Mrs. Fillyau’s administrative duties were to ensure that administrative and fiscal functions were in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as the university policies, procedures and regulations. She is proficient in the development and management of budgets for Education and General (E&G), and auxiliary funds.  She manages, monitor and prepares the appropriate documents for utilizing foundation funds. She has served as human service representative for the College of Pharmacy with duties in preparing and maintaining employment documents. She served as travel approval and trainer in the travel processes with Administrative Service Assistance Partnership (ASAP), procurement services, account payables, cash management, travel training, compliance monitoring and process mapping. Mrs. Fillyau’ s community service includes working with the Sickle Cell Foundation for 35 years with the 5k run/walk race, 18 with United Way of the Big Bend Community Human Service Partnership (CHSP) Leadership Tallahassee Class XIX, arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, and a Leon County Poll Worker and Advisory Committee member.

Patricia Graham serves as Faculty Administrator/Recruiter  for the School of Allied Health Sciences. She received her B.S. degree from Florida A&M University. Mrs. Graham has extensive experience in planning, implementation and evaluation of grant funded programs and other numerous special projects and events within the School of Allied Health Sciences. She also assists the dean’s office in coordinating administrative functions of the School. Mrs. Graham implements recruitment strategies as primary contact and actively recruits students through delivery of on site presentations across the state on behalf of the school and the university.

Lee Parker serves as the Coordinator, Academic Support, in the School of Allied Health Sciences. Mr. Parker received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Florida A&M University. He provides fiscal management for the School. He coordinates the hiring process (applications, credentials, payroll, etc.) of all personnel (full-time and OPS) within the School. Mr. Parker monitors all budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures of funds (general revenue, contractual, external). He coordinates, tracks, monitors, and confirms the completion of documents for the requesting, ordering, and delivery of supplies and services.

Student Academic Advisors

Mr. Michael Huggins - 850-561-2963 or michael.huggins@famu.edu
Advises freshman through senior students in all SOAHS majors with last names beginning with the alphabets A through G. (Student Athletes A through Z).

Ms. Tameka Reese – 850-412-5407 or tameka.reese@famu.edu
Advises freshman through senior students in all SOAHS majors with last names beginning with the alphabets H through P.

Ms. Doyin Smith – 850-412-7850 or doyin.smith@famu.edu
Advises freshman through senior students in all SOAHS majors with last names beginning with the alphabets Q through Z.

Appointments can be set online. Email your Advisor to find out how to set up an appointment.  
Please look for signs and announcements on Canvas for group advisement sessions.

Support Staff

Mrs. Marsha Baker – Senior Administrative Assistant 

Mrs. Varonia Walker – Coordinator Administrative Services

Ms. Tykisha Bright – Administrative Assistant, Division of Cardiopulmonary Science and Division of Health Informatics and Information Management             

Mr. Darryl Lewis II – Program Assistant, Division of Health Care Management (Title III )

Ms. Britney Houston – Administrative Assistant, Division of Physical Therapy

Vacant – Administrative Assistant, Division of Occupational Therapy

The faculty and student activities and services of the School of Allied Health Sciences are facilitated by the involvement and commitment of a dedicated support staff. Through the efforts of these individuals the goals and objectives of the school are actualized.