Dr. Kanesha Scott Cole: Following in her Father’s Footsteps
Dr. Kanesha Scott Cole
By Dorothy Inman-Johnson
Special to the Outlook
Dr. Kanesha Scott Cole is a Tallahassee native and the daughter of Dr. Edward R. Scott II and Pamela Scott. She is married to James E. Cole Jr. and they are the proud parents of three-year-old twins, Scott Jayson and Kaylin Rose. She attended the FAMU Developmental K-12 Research School, was voted Miss FAMU DRS for 1996-97, and graduated Salutatorian of her class. She attended Florida A &M University as a Biology and Office of Naval Research (BIONR) Scholar, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Pre-Medicine. She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. While completing her studies at Meharry, Kanesha was elected national President of the Student National Dental Association and had the honor of being selected Miss Meharry School of Dentistry, exemplifying both brains and beauty.
She completed an Endodontic Externship at the Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry, and advanced education in General Dentistry Residency at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, as well as at the Family Health Centers of South West Florida. Since completing all educational requirements for her career in dentistry, Kanesha has, over a relatively short period, racked up some major professional achievements.
In 2010, she returned home to Tallahassee and became Dental Director for the Bond Community Health Center where she developed the organization’s dental policies and procedures, staff training programs, and provided dental services for the medically underserved, uninsured or underinsured, and for homeless patients. While serving in that position, she developed several community partnerships that have served the Bond Community Health Center well. From 2011 until 2014, Dr. Cole accepted the position as Associate Dentist at Kool Smiles General Dentistry in East Chicago, Indiana. It is a community-based health Center, very similar to the Bond Health Center, serving low-income, underinsured or uninsured patients. In 2014, she returned home, again, where her father, Dr. Edward Scott, has had a longtime, established private dental practice; but not to join his practice. Dr. Kanesha Cole returned home to become the chief Operating officer and Dental Director at the Neighborhood Medical Center, Incorporated. In addition to the very demanding schedule at the Medical Center, she has maintained her professional affiliations.
Dr. Cole is an active member of the American Association of Women Dentists, the National Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. She is a member of Mt. Zion AME Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her family, profession, and church keep her very busy; but not too busy to ensure low-income families and the uninsured are provided the opportunity for good dental health. And Dr. Kanesha Scott Cole is now the Capital Outlook Newspaper’s Person of the Week.
Please nominate community stars and unsung heroes for Person of the Week by sending your recommendation to dotinman-johnson@hotmail.com.
