“‘I want to be a lawyer.’ ‘I want to be a doctor.’ Well then you better start branching out. And you better believe that African-Americans who are around you in these positions, they will welcome you completely in with open arms.”
In Episode 5, KentuckianaWorks Program Director Angella Wilson talks to Dr. Tyeshia Halsell-Richards, a Physician Assistant in Pediatric Medicine. Dr. Halsell-Richards shares insight into her experience as a Black woman navigating higher education and finding success in the healthcare field.
Dr. Tyeshia Halsell-Richards
Tyeshia was born and raised in Louisville, KY, graduated from Central High School with Honors, and was the proud recipient of the Full Presidential Scholarship offered by Kentucky State University. She graduated in 2000 from Kentucky State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Tye was offered the Lyman T. Johnson Award/Scholarship and returned to the Bluegrass State to complete her Master of Public Health with a dual-concentration in Epidemiology and Health Behavior from the University of Kentucky in 2004. After completing her MPH, she was awarded the same scholarship and completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with a Certificate in Gerontology in 2007. Tye recently completed her Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Lynchburg with a Clinical concentration.
Tye began her career as a Board Certified Physician Assistant joining Dr. Beverly M. Gaines and Associates, PSC in 2008, and has been practicing Pediatric Medicine for the last 13 years. She loves working with children/adolescents and their families especially in the areas of her special interest, Women’s Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Tye currently serves as a member of AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants), KAPA (Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tyeshia currently serves as a preceptor for the Physician Assistant programs for the University of Kentucky and Sullivan University. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Kentucky’s Physician Assistant program as well.
Tyeshia and her husband Ronnie have two children Ryane and Ronnie Jr. and a dog named Prince. She enjoys shopping, skating, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. She believes the key to success is having a solid platform grounded with God being first in your life, having the determination and perseverance to continue when the road gets tough, positivity, a caring spirit with a heart of gold, love yourself and embrace YOUR purpose God created just for YOU.
KW Conversations
On KW Conversations, we address workforce and education issues that matter to the Louisville region. You can listen to the episodes on your podcast app, Spotify, or Youtube. Learn more about each of the episodes here.
