Letoshia Foster, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor-In-Residence
Dr. Letoshia Foster is a native of South Central-Los Angeles, California. She earned both an associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, California. In 1994 Dr. Foster received a master’s in nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles. She later earned a post-master’s degree, in nursing, from California State Dominguez Hills. She developed an interest in socio-cultural health disparities, gender, and health inequalities. In addition, Dr. Foster earned a Master’s degree in medical anthropology, and a PhD in history from the University of Memphis. Her research focused on nineteenth and twentieth century health issues among African Americans in Memphis, Tennessee. A snapshot of her dissertation includes a chapter, “We Too Are Angels of Mercy: Black Nurses in Memphis,” Documents show that Black nurses in Memphis were skilled in the surgical care of patients and community leaders in public health. Nursing served the goals of racial uplift. Black nurses advocated for access to these credentials and successfully campaigned to reverse state laws.
