Board of Directors

President

Dr. Patricia Adams-Graves, M.D.

Dr. Patricia Adams-Graves is a widely acclaimed expert in sickle cell disease. She is currently, Professor Emeritus, Medicine and Hematology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and former Medical Director at the Diggs Kraus Sickle Cell Center. She has testified before several state and federal government branches and has spoken at hundreds of health care meetings and conferences nationallyand internationally. She has been recognized globallyfor her work with sickle cell disease and is a member of various community service and professional organizations, including the American Society of Hematology, American College of Physicians, Bluff City Medical Society and the Tennessee Medical Society. She is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Biology and Medical Technology. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Louisville, where she completed her internal medicine residency. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is married to Dr. Shelton Graves and they have two children.

Treasurer

Lewis Bell, Esq.

Attorney Lewis Bell is a partner of Watkins & Eager PLLC in Jackson, Mississippi-the oldest and one of the largest law firms in the state of Mississippi. Lewis concentrates his law practice around personal injury, product liability, and commercial litigation. He is heavily involved with the Christian community in Jackson, Mississippi, including his deacon position at First Presbyterian Church (P.C.A.) and board position at the Neighborhood Christian Center. He is a native Memphian. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is married and has three children.

Tevis Smothers

Dr. William Terrell, M.D.

Dr. William Terrell is the former chair of the board of directors. He is a licensed pediatrician in Tennessee and Georgia. He currently practices medicine at the Memphis and Shelby County Pediatric Group. He is a member of the Bluff City Medical Society, Pro Duffers South, Xavier University of Louisiana Memphis Alumni Chapter, Meharry Medical College Alumni, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Dr Terrell is a 2019 recipient of St. Jude’s Legacy Award and the 2019 Memphis Chapter Xavier University Alumnus of the Year. Dr Terrell was one of the first African American doctors to treat sickle cell disease during the early years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Terrell is a graduate Xavier University of Louisiana and later earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He is married to Annie Belle Terrell.