Published: June 01, 2009 08:14 am      

Clark Earns Sociology Doctorate

Cullen Clark has received a doctoral degree in medical sociology from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

His Ph.D. dissertation, "The Cultural Worldview of Allopathic and Naturopathic Physicians," examines and compares the beliefs of conventional and alternative doctors. Based on Dr. Clark's proprietary survey of nearly 1,000 primary care physicians, his study is the first of its kind in the United States. His work won him the departmental Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 2008.

Dr. Clark is the son-in-law of Clarence and Mary L. Culpepper of Newton Country, and the brother-in-law of George and Ann Culpepper, and Eddie and Kay Thomas, all of Meridian.

Originally from Liberty, Dr. Clark earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, and a master's degree in health administration from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

A one-time reporter for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Dr. Clark also worked on the the press staff of former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, edited a medical magazine in Cincinnati, and was a hospital administrator in Birmingham, Ala.

Now completing a program in translational research and teaching university sociology courses, Dr. Clark lives in Vestavia Hills, Ala., with his wife, Meridian native Mary Kay Culpepper.