Barbara Ross: Who Is Diana Ross' Sister?

Barbara Ross is a physician, academic, and the sister of Diana Ross. Barbara’s sister Diana is known to the world for her work as a singer and actress. She has worked as the lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes and also embarked on a successful solo career in music, film, television, and on stage.

Barbara Ross: Bio Summary

How Old Is Barbara Ross?

Barbara Ross was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 1, 1942. She will be celebrating her 81 birthday in 2023. She is the daughter of Ernestine (née Moten; January 27, 1916 – October 9, 1984) and Fred Ross, Sr. (July 4, 1920 – November 21, 2007). She was raised in the housing projects of Detroit.

Barbara Ross is also known as Barbara Ross-Lee. She is not the only child of her parents. She is the eldest of her siblings. Her siblings are Diana Ross, Rita Ross, Arthur “T-Boy” Ross, Chico Ross, Wilbert Ross, and Fred Ross, Jr. She studied at Wayne State University, and majored in biology and chemistry.

Barbara Ross started her pre-medical studies at Detroit’s Wayne State University in 1960, during the growth of the Civil Rights movement. At the time, it was only a few medical schools offered admission to minority students and there was no federal or private funding to help support students from poor families.

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Barbara’s pre-med advisor at Wayne State doubted women’s capability to be physicians so Barbara was declined authorization to study human anatomy as her major. Barbara ended up graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry in 1965 and went on to train as a teacher.

Barbara Ross joined the National Teacher Corps to earn a degree while teaching simultaneously in the Detroit public school system. After completing the program in 1969, a new educational opportunity arose. Michigan State University opened a school of osteopathic medicine in Pontiac, a Detroit suburb.

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Barbara Ross applied and was accepted. She graduated from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1973. She operated a solo family practice in Detroit until 1984 when she joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a consultant on education in the health professions.

Barbara Ross has also served and held positions within the medical community. She was a community representative on the Governor’s Minority Health Advisory Committee for the state of Michigan from 1990 to 1993. In 1991 she was also the first osteopathic physician to participate in the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship.

Barbara Ross was dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University. In 1993, she was chosen as the first woman dean of a medical school, at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has earned several awards and honors for her work and accomplishments.

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Barbara Ross won the “Magnificent 7” Award presented in 1993 by Business and Professional Women/USA. She has received the Women’s Health Award from Blackboard African-American National Bestsellers for her contributions to women’s health.

Barbara Ross won the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and an honorary doctorate of science from the New York Institute of Technology. She has lectured extensively and written scholarly articles on osteopathic medicine.

Barbara Ross is a strong advocate for the profession and its preservation. Ross-Lee has been active in the American Osteopathic Association, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, the National Osteopathic Medical Association, and the Association for Academic Health Centers.

Also Read: Chico Ross: Everything About Diana Ross’ Brother

Barbara Ross has been a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical Corps. She had been hired as president of the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine at Morgan State University.

Personal Life

Barbara Ross has been married twice and has five children. She was married to James Lee from 1964 to 1970. She has been married to Edmond Beverly since 1976. Edmond Beverly worked for the Michigan public schools. She and Edmond raised five children, all of whom have pursued professional careers.

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