In every role she embodies—scientist, educator, executive, advocate—Dr. Marquita Taylor stands as a powerful force for equity and transformation. The reigning Ms. Virginia, Black United States 2025, Dr. Taylor wears her crown not for glory, but to amplify her life’s mission: improving cancer outcomes for Black women and eliminating systemic health disparities.
Dr. Taylor’s journey is a masterclass in purposeful leadership. As a cancer research scientist and senior healthcare executive, she merges rigorous data with heartfelt advocacy to build systems that serve the often unheard. “My community shaped my values,” she shares. “It taught me that leadership means lifting others as you rise—and that change must be both compassionate and strategic.” This perspective, rooted in community and compassion, fuels every step of her path.
One defining moment in Dr. Taylor’s career came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consulting for the CDC, she worked to ensure that public health messaging reached the nation’s most underserved communities. It was here that she saw the urgent need for culturally competent communication—and made it her mission to innovate at the intersection of science, equity, and access.
In her current roles at the University of Virginia—as Associate Cancer Center Director and Assistant Professor—Dr. Taylor leads with vision and inclusivity. She is pioneering patient-centered cancer research, launching educational initiatives, and championing digital transformation through health informatics. “I want my work to inspire systemic change,” she explains, “not just in outcomes, but in how we approach care—with dignity, respect, and representation.”
For Dr. Taylor, the Honors of Distinction recognition is not the finish line but a charge to keep going. “I hope my story reminds others that our identities are not limitations—they’re launchpads for impact.”
About Dr. Marquita Taylor
Dr. Marquita Taylor is an award-winning cancer research scientist, health informaticist, and healthcare executive dedicated to advancing equity in cancer care. She serves as Associate Cancer Center Director and Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia. Her work includes consulting for the CDC, leading digital transformation, and designing inclusive research and education programs. As Ms. Virginia, Black United States 2025, she uses her platform to uplift underserved communities and improve health communication. Dr. Taylor has held leadership roles at Yale, Columbia, and UVA. With a passion for data-driven change and compassionate leadership, she is shaping a more equitable future in healthcare.
