Donnie Rhett Koonce is a dedicated biomedical science professional, researcher, and community leader committed to advancing health equity. He earned an MS in biomedical science from Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 2018 (3.56 GPA). This was a year after completing his BA in anthropology at UNC-Charlotte with a 3.70 GPA. As a graduate student, Donnie Rhett Koonce volunteered at a healthcare clinic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, providing free glaucoma screenings to people of low income. He also mentored and tutored elementary school children.
Donnie Koonce is an ophthalmic technician at Charlotte Optometric Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina. He conducts glaucoma and blood pressure screenings for patients and also renders their retinal images. Fluent in Spanish, he also does Spanish-English translation for Spanish-speaking patients. Previously, he was an ophthalmic assistant at Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, PA. There, he utilized JMP statistical software to support ophthalmologist research projects while managing a retina reference website (retinareference.com).
An Eagle Scout and member of Lambda Alpha Honor Society, Donnie Koonce served as president and vice president of the Minority Association of Premedical Students while in school and coordinated “Day With the Youth,” a program introducing minority high school students to careers in medicine. Mr. Koonce also co-founded W.O.L.V.E.S., creating a mentorship and support network for minority male students. His hobbies include cooking, creating new recipes, and reading.