FAMU Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation Welcomes Dr. Otis W. Kirksey
August 20, 2026
Administration
By Office of Communications
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) has appointed Otis W. Kirksey, Pharm.D., CDCES, BC-ADM, executive director for Strategic Priorities, Clinical Studies and Community Engagement within the Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation (HSERI).
Kirksey brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across academic, clinical and nonprofit settings, with nationally recognized expertise in diabetes, chronic disease management, health education and community engagement. His appointment strengthens FAMU’s expanding Health Sciences Enterprise and its commitment to connecting research, clinical innovation and community engagement to improve health outcomes. FAMU has identified health care innovation, clinical research and major chronic health challenges as strategic priorities.
“Dr. Kirksey is exactly the kind of accomplished, mission-driven leader we need as we build a nationally distinctive Health Sciences Enterprise,” said Donald E. Palm III, Ph.D., executive vice president for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation. “His extraordinary expertise in diabetes and chronic disease, combined with decades of clinical, academic and community leadership, will help us move from research and discovery to measurable health impact. His leadership will be especially important as we advance FAMU’s strategic focus on cardiometabolic health, expand clinical studies and deepen our engagement with the communities we are called to serve.”
In his new role, Kirksey will help lead the development of FAMU’s clinical studies infrastructure, cultivate healthcare and industry partnerships, strengthen community-engaged research and advance interdisciplinary initiatives across pharmacy, public health, nursing and allied health sciences. A central priority will be advancing FAMU’s growing Cardiometabolic Health Initiative, with an emphasis on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, prevention and chronic disease management.
A FAMU alumnus, Kirksey earned both his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University. His distinguished FAMU career has included service as professor, Eminent Scholar chair in pharmacy practice, assistant dean for community engagement and continuing education, director of pharmacy practice and director of the Drug Information Center. He was named professor emeritus in 2020.
Kirksey has established a national reputation in diabetes prevention, treatment and education. He is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and board certified in advanced diabetes management. He served on the American Diabetes Association Board of Directors, including as president, health care and education in 2022, and is chair-elect of the Florida Diabetes Alliance for 2026.
“Returning to serve FAMU in this capacity is both an honor and an opportunity to build upon work that has defined much of my professional life,” said Kirksey. “Cardiometabolic disease continues to place an enormous burden on families and communities, particularly those that have historically experienced barriers to care. I am excited to help bring together FAMU’s extraordinary faculty, students, clinical expertise, research capacity and community partnerships to develop solutions that move beyond identifying disparities to improving outcomes.”
Kirksey’s appointment further advances FAMU’s strategy to build an integrated Health Sciences Enterprise that translates research into practice, practice into prevention, and prevention into healthier communities, while strengthening the University’s growing research enterprise and trajectory toward Carnegie R1 classification.
FAMU established HSERI in part to integrate health sciences, research and innovation and accelerate that R1 trajectory.
Media Contact
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
