Dr. Robert E. Dawson, Founder
Dr. Robert E. Dawson is a graduate of Tulane University and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry and a Medical Doctor degree, respectively. He trained in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospital Program, the University of California School of Public Health, Master of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency and a fellowship in Geriatrics from Tulane University School of Medicine.
Dr. Dawson served in the United States Public Health Service, rising through the ranks from Ensign to Captain. He represented the Surgeon General at the American Medical Association, chaired the Physician Professional Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General and served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Louis Sullivan for the Minority Male Grant Program. There Dr. Dawson became aware of minority health disparities and the under-representation of minorities in health professions. Dr. Dawson has had a career serving the underserved and uninsured as a scholar in National Health Service. He co-founded the East Jefferson Community Health Center, served as the Medical Director of EXCELth, Inc. Primary Care Network and on the Board of the East Jefferson General Hospital.
Dr. Dawson founded the Black Bag Medicine Foundation in April 1999. The Black Bag has supported minority students at Tulane and LSU Schools of Medicine, awarding more than 500 honorary black doctor bags to graduating seniors, sponsoring regional Student National Medical Association meetings and providing scholarships. Dr. Dawson was licensed to preach the gospel at the Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA, Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Senior Pastor, and he was ordained to preach the gospel by the East Ascencion Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Reverends Graylin Burl, Sr. and Reverend Graylin Burl, Jr. Dr. Dawson is the recipient of many outstanding awards, he is the author of two soon-to-be-released books, Blood on The Desert Floor: A Physician’s Daughter Medical Tragedy, Search for the Truth and Thrown out of the Big House. He is the father of Brionne Dawson, Clarice Dawson-Owens, and Arista Mia Dawson.