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Dr. Larrell L. Wilkinson

Larrell L. Wilkinson is a follower of Christ, a husband, a father, and educator in the field of public/community health and human services, and certified wellness coach.

Larrell believes in THINKING, WORKING, & SERVING to live out your purpose…having journeyed through many different experiences and evolving during his life course. When speaking, he enjoys saying: “I wasn’t always Dr. Wilkinson…I am becoming him.”

In sharing his lessons learned from failures and success, Larrell encourages all to always pursue operating at their best!

Biographical Sketch & Timeline

Born in Michigan, Larrell moved with his family to Stone Mountain, GA at age 5. Life was fun, having dabbled in activities like karate and football. However, playing soccer with friends at his daycare at age 8 solidified his passion for the sport that exists today.

Larrell began his work life beyond household chores at age 12, cutting his neighbors grass and trimming hedges up until age 18; refereeing soccer games ages 15 – 19; serving as a maintenance technician (janitorial service) for Stone Mountain Park at age 16; working as a cashier and in customer service at Best Buy, ages 16 – 19; unloading trucks 4am – 9am for the United Parcel Service (UPS) at age 19; assisting researchers and staff as a laboratory/office assistant in the Dept. of Biological Science at Tennessee State University (TSU) at age 20; interning at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) ages 20 – 22; selling electronics as a Sales Associate at Best Buy & RadioShack at age 22; and teaching as a Substitute Teacher at a Christian School at age 22.

Larrell graduated from Tennessee State University, an Historically Black College & University nestled in Nashville, TN in December of 2000. He entered a Summer Program at Morehouse School of Medicine in July of 2001, leaving the program with a deep and humbling appreciation for his talent (or lack thereof) for the medical sciences. Needing more “appreciation”, Larrell pursued post-baccalaureate training at Georgia State University during 2001 – 2002. Finding “himself” a little more and realizing a new direction: Larrell left the comfort of the metro Atlanta (GA) area to “find himself” in Columbia, SC. Here, Larrell pursued a Master of Science of Public Health (MSPH) in Epidemiology but left with a MSPH in Health Promotion Education & Behavior and then a PhD in Health Services Policy & Management, both from the Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) at the University of South Carolina (USC).

Having worked as a graduate assistant in research laboratories at USC, a mentor and friend encouraged Larrell to work with him within the Office of Health & Wellness Programs at USC. Coordinating efforts of health and wellness promotion (i.e., tobacco cessation, HIV testing, cancer screening), Larrell began to find his niche. At age 26, Dr. Wilkinson began working full-time for the University of South Carolina (USC) as the Program Coordinator for the Office of Alcohol & Drug Programs. He later became the Director of the A & D Office at age 27, guiding it to change to the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention & Education. Leaving this role at age 30, he semi-retired in order to pursue his PhD full-time. While working as a Graduate Assistant for the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities (IPEHD) at USC, he also began teaching at the University of Phoenix. In that role, he later became a Lead Faculty Area Chair (age 31). Completing his PhD at age 32, Dr. Wilkinson worked as Postdoctoral researcher at IPEHD while continuing to teach at the University of Phoenix. Dr. Wilkinson joined the faculty in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education in 2012 (age 34). Earning tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in 2018 (age 40), continues to conduct research on “wellness and healthier living” through the Wilkinson Wellness Lab, an outreach and analysis effort mentoring UAB Community Health & Human Services students. Dr. Wilkinson continues to THINK, WORK, & SERVE out his purpose and remains hopeful for the future through his faith, family, and fellowship with others on the wellness path.

2001 | BS in Biology, Tennessee State University

2005 | MSPH in Health Promotion Education & Behavior, University of South Carolina

2011 | PhD, Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina

Mrs. Khalia Wilkinson

Instagram: @Lyricc.K.Wilkinson

Believer | Wife | Mother | Author | Children’s Mental Health Promoter | Counselor | Women’s Ministry Leader

2013 | BS in Fashion and Retail Management, Art Institute of Pittsburgh

2018 | MA Ed in Counseling with a Concentration in School Counseling

Biographical Sketch

Khalia Wilkinson is a follower of Christ, a wife, a mother and a self-care writer. She has worked in the modeling, fashion, and entertainment industry; is a trained counselor; and currently works in teenage mental health and academic success. She is a life and style enthusiast providing helpful encouragement each day.

Current Contributing Authors

Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern, Human Services Student

Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern, MAEd in Community Health Student

Tan Walker | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern, MAEd in Community Health Student

Angela Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern, Community Health Student