Vicksburg native Khamariah Yelder-Anderson earns Doctoral Degree

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Khamariah Yelder-Anderson, a Vicksburg native, has completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, marking a major milestone in her academic and professional journey in health care.

Yelder-Anderson was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Lori Yelder and Stephen Anderson Sr., and spent much of her childhood in Anchorage, Alaska. She graduated from high school in 2018 before returning to Mississippi to attend the University of Mississippi. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with double minors in chemistry and psychology. While at Ole Miss, Yelder-Anderson was active on campus, becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and serving as both an orientation leader and MOST mentor. She graduated magna cum laude in May 2022.

Following graduation, Yelder-Anderson enrolled at Emory University, where she pursued a career in nursing. She completed her Master of Nursing degree in August 2023, earning eligibility to sit for the NCLEX and become a registered nurse. She later entered Emory’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program while working full time as a labor and delivery nurse at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

During her doctoral studies, Yelder-Anderson gained extensive clinical experience, including participation in international medical relief trips across Europe. Her work emphasized service, global health and reproductive care. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner on Dec. 12, 2025.