By Annie McCallum
Carole Pratt (biology, ’72) was honored with Virginia Tech’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award in May 2023.
Pratt served as senior policy advisor in the administrations of Virginia Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam. In this role, she focused on rural health and health care workforce concerns, oral health, prescription and illicit drug abuse, and addiction.
She was a member of the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, representing the health and human resources secretary, and provided support to the Department of Veterans Services’ Military Medics and Corpsman Program. Previously, she practiced general dentistry with husband Rick Mansell in rural Southwest Virginia for 32 years.
She has volunteered with or served on the boards of numerous organizations, including Virginia’s Board of Health, the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, Lewis Gale Hospital in Pulaski, the National Rural Health Association, Delta Dental of Virginia and of its Foundation, the National Rural Health Association Rural Oral Health Task Force, Virginia’s Small Business Advisory Board, and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia campus, and the Virginia Dental Association Mission of Mercy clinics.
At Virginia Tech, she has served on the Alumni Association board of directors as its president, the Foundation Board, the College of Science Dean’s Roundtable, the Department of Biological Sciences Advisory Board, and the advisory council for Inspiring Women in Lifelong Leadership.