Deidra is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is engaged in clinical practice and academic instruction for UNC’s Division of Physical Therapy. She is a residency trained Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She has a passion for sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, professional development, and improving diversity within the profession. She is a member of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy and the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise and Sport Science and returned to UNC and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She is actively involved with APTA North Carolina where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and is a delegate to the House of Delegates. In North Carolina, she has led statewide efforts to increase student exposure to the field of physical therapy. 

Paris is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the North Carolina Health Education Center (NC AHEC). In this role, Dr. Andrew leads statewide DEI initiatives and oversees efforts to recruit, train, and retain individuals from rural and low-income communities and from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in health professions programs and the health career workforce. Building upon a scholarly background in Exercise Physiology, Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations, Dr. Andrew is a multi-industry Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Strategist, with expertise ranging from leading DEI councils, liaising equity audits, and Project Directing multi-million-dollar federal grants. One of which being the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) AHEC Scholars grant within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A hallmark of Dr. Andrew’s leadership is her ability to focus not solely on access to - but inclusion, and meaningful sustained engagement - once in educational enrichment programs and the workforce. Prior to joining NC AHEC, Dr. Andrew was Director of Partnerships and Engagement for Duke University’s Talent Identification Program.