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.
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.
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.