NCCU alumnus Dr. Dwight D.
Perry of Durham was this year’s inductee to the National Black College
Alumni (NBCA) Hall of Fame for achievement in medicine. The NBCA Hall
of Fame Foundation, Inc. recognizes and promotes outstanding
accomplishment by graduates of HBCUs across the country in a variety
of fields of endeavor.
Upon graduating summa cum laude from NCCU, Perry studied medicine and
ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His
scholarly work has been published in the prestigious American Journal
of Ophthalmology, the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and the
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. He is past president of the Durham
Academy of Medicine and examiner for the American Board of
Ophthalmology.
Currently, he serves as vice president and partner with North Carolina
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat. Perry is also chief of Ophthalmologist
Services at Lincoln Community Health Center, a public health facility
serving the poor and uninsured, where he volunteers one half day a
week.
Founder and director of the Diabetic Retinopathy prevention program,
Perry installed the Eye Q Computerized Fundus Camera System at Lincoln
in order to provide the predominantly African American patients there
with the opportunity for early detection and treatment of vision
impairment due to diabetes, a disease that disproportionately impacts
this minority group.
Ms. Norma D. Petway, director of alumni relations at NCCU introduced
Perry at the award ceremony. “I was very honored to present the award
to Dr. Perry on behalf of the university,” said Petway. “We were at
NCCU at the same time and now, he’s my Ophthalmologist.”
Upon receiving the award, Perry said, “North Carolina Central
University has been a strong foundation for my family… nine of by
brothers and sisters attended the university.”
Among the 14 winners in this 21st Annual Hall of Fame Weekend
(September 28 - October 1, 2006) were Howard University alumna and
actress Lynn Whitfield, Xavier University alumna and former Secretary
of Labor Alexis M. Herman, South Carolina State University alumnus
Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr., and Fisk University alumnus, former NCCU
professor and current James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, Dr.
John Hope Franklin who accepted the award for lifetime achievement.
