Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

GATESVILLE – A former Gates County High School student-athlete who went on to college where she earned a degree in Dentistry is returning to “Baron Country” to serve as the Commencement speaker for the GCHS graduating class of 2023.

Dr. Jalisa Bradley Parrish is a 2007 graduate of Gates County High School. Upon graduating high school, she attended Tennessee State University on a full athletic scholarship for softball. She went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, then choosing to pursue a career in Dentistry. She attended Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN, earning her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree with honors.

After completing dental school, Dr. Parrish was selected to complete a multi-disciplinary hospital residency at Jesse Brown Veteran’s Medical Center in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Parrish returned to the Albemarle area in 2017 to join her father’s dental practice, Jerry Bradley DDS and Associates.

Dr. Parrish is a native of Gates County, having grown up in Hobbsville. She currently resides in Elizabeth City, with her husband, Dwight, and two children.

In her free time, Dr. Parrish enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and traveling.

Dr. Parrish loves that she has been able to come back and continue her father’s mission by providing dental care to underserved communities.

She is an active member of the North Carolina Dental Society, American Dental Association and National Dental Association.

Commencement exercises for the Gates County High School Class of 2023 will take place at 7:30 p.m. on June 9.