Recognized Patient Engagement Leaders 2025

Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli (“Dr Garbelli”) is a UK-based physician, healthcare strategist and MedTech advisor focused on assisting healthcare leaders and organisations adopt, navigate, and implement AI/robotics and healthcare automation safely, ethically and at scale. Working at the intersection of clinical practice, technology and executive decision-making, he supports boards, executive teams and MedTech leaders to turn innovation into measurable improvements in patient outcomes, workforce sustainability and operational performance. Dr Garbelli is the creator of the Healthcare Convergence Framework™ (HCF), a practical approach that helps organisations assess AI/Robotics readiness, align leadership priorities and design future-ready care pathways without disrupting frontline delivery. His work typically spans AI and robotics strategy, governance and risk management, clinical adoption and change leadership—ensuring that new technologies strengthen trust, accountability and safety in real-world conditions. As a keynote speaker and author, Dr Garbelli translates complex topics such as AI governance, clinical safety, ethics and system transformation into clear, actionable insights for senior audiences. He is the author of The Doctor’s Future and The Doctor’s Voice, and contributes thought leadership on how medicine is being reshaped by digital transformation and emerging technologies. Known for a pragmatic, clinician-led perspective, Dr Garbelli helps leaders navigate high-stakes decisions such as build-versus-buy, pilot design, evaluation and scaling across multiple sites. His mission is to purposefully transform the future of medicine—one organisation, strategy and physician at a time—with confidence.

I serve as Group Vice President of HealthStaffingGroup, a healthcare workforce division focused on helping hospitals and healthcare organizations navigate complex staffing and leadership challenges. My work centers on workforce strategy, leadership hiring, retention, and long-term staffing stability in high-demand healthcare environments. With experience supporting healthcare systems across the country, I regularly work with executives, administrators, and clinical leaders to address issues such as nursing shortages, physician recruitment, workforce burnout, and succession planning. I’m particularly interested in how leadership decisions, operational design, and workforce planning directly influence patient outcomes and organizational resilience. Over the years, I’ve seen that staffing challenges are rarely isolated hiring problems; they are strategic issues tied to leadership development, workload design, and long-term workforce sustainability. I often speak on healthcare leadership trends, retention strategies, and the evolving talent landscape within hospitals, clinics, and specialty care environments. My perspective combines frontline workforce realities with executive-level strategy, offering insight into how healthcare organizations can build stable, high-performing teams in an increasingly complex care environment.

Mrs. Durga Chavali is an internationally recognized IT healthcare leader and AI researcher with nearly two decades of experience and a proven track record of implementing enterprise-level technology strategies that improve efficiency, drive digital transformation, and enable data-driven decision-making. She is the proven leader in implementing complex, high-stakes healthcare IT projects with significant ROI, guiding enterprise-level initiatives from concept to execution, and enabling organizations to make informed decisions that optimize operations, reduce risk, and enhance financial and clinical outcomes. Ms. Chavali is a Doctor of Health Care Administration and a results-driven healthcare IT executive who consistently delivers measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance by making strategic, data-informed decisions that optimize enterprise-level processes and drive organizational success. She has been honored with the Fellow Honorary of IETE, Distinguished Fellow of SCRS, and Honorary Inducted Member of Phi Kappa Phi. Mrs. Chavali has been recognized for thought leadership through publications in leading healthcare and AI journals and business magazines, translating complex research into actionable strategies that improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance in enterprise healthcare settings. Mrs. Chavali is also a trusted advocate and coach in the AI era, leveraging a strong research background to guide organizations in adopting innovative AI-driven strategies and driving business transformation toward measurable success Mrs. Chavali is an award-winning healthcare IT leader, recognized with the Inspera and ITA Awards for Distinguished Research and Breakthrough Innovation, pioneering innovative solutions that integrate research and industry expertise to drive AI-powered analytics, predictive insights, and compliance automation, delivering measurable improvements in care quality, operational efficiency, and financial outcomes. Ms. Chavali has been further recognized by the most popular and high-circulation media and featured in respected industry publications such as TechBullion and TechTimes, leveraging published insights on healthcare IT, AI, and data-driven innovation to influence cross‑industry discourse and drive enterprise‑level transformation. Mrs. Chavali contributes to organizations such as IEEE and ACM and supports the community through her expertise.

Dr. Lillian Liang Emlet, MD MS CHSE CPC ELI-MP FCCM is a critical care and emergency physician, professor, and certified executive coach working at the intersection of healthcare leadership, clinician wellbeing, and innovation. With more than 20 years of experience in academic medicine, she serves as Professor of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and practices clinically as an intensivist at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Dr. Emlet is the founder of Transforming Healthcare Coaching®, an executive coaching and leadership development firm supporting physicians, healthcare executives, and high-performing clinical teams in navigating complexity, stress, and organizational change. Her work is grounded in evidence-based leadership development, emotional intelligence, and the Energy Leadership Index (ELI), helping leaders strengthen decision-making, communication, and resilience in high-stakes environments. Through individual executive coaching and systemic team coaching, Dr. Emlet partners with organizations to build aligned, psychologically safe, high-trust teams capable of sustained performance and cultural transformation. Her expertise spans team dynamics, simulation-based education, and leadership under pressure—bringing a rare combination of frontline clinical credibility and strategic coaching insight. In addition to her work in healthcare leadership, Dr. Emlet is passionate about advising healthcare technology, AI, and startup teams seeking clinical expertise, market-informed perspective, and mission-aligned guidance. She supports innovators building solutions that meaningfully improve the lives of clinicians, patients, and care systems. Dr. Emlet is a proud Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, a member of the International Coaching Federation, and host of the Transforming Healthcare Coaching Podcast. Her guiding belief is simple: healthcare transforms when leaders are supported to thrive—and when teams are empowered to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose.

A company is only as strong as its people. Yet, I see it every day—burnout, stress, and chronic fatigue are draining the energy of employees, impacting performance, engagement, loyalty, and innovation. I’ve spent my career uncovering the root causes of these issues and helping people reclaim their energy, focus, and long-term health. As a physician, bestselling author, and host of the nationally syndicated TV show Ask Dr. Nandi, I’ve helped millions take control of their well-being. My latest book, Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain, a New York Times bestseller, unpacks the critical link between gut health and cognitive wellbeing—a connection that has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire organizations. This is a core promise of The Vitality Advantage—the idea that when employees function at their best, companies thrive. I don’t just share science-backed strategies for better health—I help teams implement real changes that boost resilience, performance, and energy in a way that directly impacts business success. My message is simple: * Vitality is a Vital business advantage. * Healthy employees are more engaged, creative, and productive. * Burnout prevention starts with physical and mental well-being. * Corporate transformation happens from the ground up—one healthier, more energized employee at a time. If your company is ready to embrace The Vitality Advantage, let’s connect and discuss how I can bring this actionable, high-impact message to your organization.

*Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician (ABFM) with 14+ years clinical experience (based in Chicago, IL) *Named Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2024, 2025) *Medical Media Commentator seen on/in ABC 7, Fox 32, CBS 2, WGN 9, The Chicago Tribune , Chicago Sun Times, and Everyday Health; including a nationwide 25 interview satellite media tour (TV & radio, November 2025) *Premedical Student Mentor, Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program Dr. Rene is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) with 14+ years of clinical experience. She provides comprehensive primary care for Medicare-eligible patients at Oak Street Health's Avalon Park location in Chicago, specializing in chronic disease management, preventive care, healthcare equity, and access for underserved communities. After overcoming 50 medical school rejections, Dr. Rene graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed residency training at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago. She developed the L.Y.M.I.T.S. Method—a framework for transforming limitations into your greatest strengths. She mentors aspiring physicians through the Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program. Dr. Rene has appeared as a medical expert on ABC 7, Fox 32, CBS 2, and WGN 9 Chicago and recently completed a 25-interview national satellite media tour. She is available for expert commentary on resilience in healthcare, medical education equity, resilience and overcoming failure, healthcare access for underserved populations, and diversity in medicine.

Dr. Geny Augustine is a physician at Solace who knows firsthand how challenging the U.S. healthcare system can be for patients. Having worked with diverse patient populations throughout her career, she's seen how the system's complex nature can create unnecessary barriers to getting good care—which is exactly what drew her to Solace's mission of putting patients first. Dr. Augustine completed her medical education in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, and previously worked as a Family Medicine physician for Banner Health in Glendale, Arizona. She's passionate about improving patient care, leading quality improvement projects like her work on hypertension management in urban environments, which earned honorable mention for the SLUHN Quality Improvement Award in 2020. Fluent in English with intermediate Spanish skills, she brings both clinical expertise and cultural understanding to her patient relationships. When she's not advocating for patients, Dr. Augustine enjoys fitness, culinary arts, fine arts, travel, and volunteer work—pursuits that reflect her belief in whole-person wellness and giving back to her community.

I am a trailblazing people and culture executive with experience building high-performing organizations in the life sciences, biotech, pharma, manufacturing, tech, telecommunications, logistics, fashion, travel and aviation sectors. I combine strategic vision with deep empathy and cross-functional relationship building to unlock both individual and business potential, specializing in scaling people operations for high-growth companies. My approach centers on authentic leadership and harnessing data-driven decision-making to consistently deliver demonstrated success. Throughout my career, I've driven significant organizational transformations, including growing companies 588% in headcount, reducing new hire turnover by 35%, and delivering $3.5M+ in cost savings through innovative talent management solutions. As a trusted C-suite advisor and board partner, I've led 7+ successful M&A integrations with up to $1.1B in value, built elite P&C functions from the ground up, and championed initiatives that resulted in recognition as an employer of choice. I am a passionate people leader who thrives in fostering cultures where employees thrive and businesses excel. I am an impeccable relationship builder with expansive industry experience & expertise with a relentless dedication to creating transformational people experience teams that drive employee engagement, disrupt the status quo, and position the company for maximum performance, competitive advantage, and bottom-line growth.

Dynamic leader who thrives in fast-paced work environments and successfully partners with business leaders to exceed goals and drive impact. Proven ability to innovate, establish priorities, influence broadly, as well as lead and execute complex projects. Excellent people leader and team player with demonstrated experience of leading and collaborating across organizations to ensure successful implementation of initiatives. Consistently proven to be a hardworking, adaptable, reliable and energetic team player. Specialties: Talent Management, Performance Enablement, Organization Design, Executive Coaching, Workforce Planning, Training and Development, Employee Relations, Operations and Project Management, Event Planning

Erin Herman is a globally respected leadership strategist and keynote speaker whose work sits at the intersection of change, human-centered leadership, and performance at scale. Over the course of two decades, she has advised Fortune 500 executive teams and global institutions on how to lead through uncertainty with courage, empathy, and clarity—often in moments where the stakes could not be higher. Her leadership experience includes senior roles with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the United Nations, where she helped shape global corporate partnership strategies in service of the world’s most vulnerable populations. While working within the United Nations system through UNICEF, Erin co-created the Learning Passport in partnership with Microsoft and Cambridge University—an online and mobile education platform designed to deliver continuous access to quality learning for children affected by conflict, displacement, and crisis. The platform has since reached learners in more than 40 countries and was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Best Inventions and ranked by the Project Management Institute as the third most influential project in the world. Erin also played a central role in securing one of the largest philanthropic commitments ever made to a children’s hospital: a $300 million, 10-year partnership that continues to drive life-saving impact at scale. Today, Erin is known for translating extraordinary global experience into clear, grounded insight for leaders navigating complexity in the modern workplace. She is the creator of the CEG Method™ (Courage, Empathy, Growth Mindset) and the 4Cs Methodology™ (Conviction, Courage, Clarity, Confidence), frameworks trusted by organizations seeking sustainable change without burnout or performative leadership. A sought-after voice on women’s leadership, organizational culture, and decision-making under pressure, Erin is recognized for her ability to cut through noise with intelligence, warmth, and precision—delivering perspective that is both deeply human and powerfully actionable.

Jeremy Gurewitz – CEO & Co-founder, Solace Health Jeremy Gurewitz is the CEO and Co-founder of Solace Health, a company dedicated to helping patients navigate the complex healthcare system with greater clarity and support. Jeremy’s mission at Solace Health is deeply personal. In 2016, his mother—an accomplished radiologist—was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite her medical expertise, she found herself overwhelmed by the complexity of her diagnosis and the multitude of decisions that followed, from exploring clinical trials to seeking second opinions and weighing treatment options. Witnessing firsthand how even highly knowledgeable individuals can struggle to navigate the healthcare system, Jeremy became passionate about solving a critical problem: healthcare in the United States has grown as complex as the legal system, leaving most people—patients and even doctors—without the tools or guidance to manage significant health challenges on their own. Under Jeremy’s leadership, Solace Health strives to bring clarity, advocacy, and personalized support to patients and families navigating life-altering medical journeys, ensuring that no one has to face it alone.

Dr. Darian Askew, DMD is a cosmetic and general dentist based in Eastern North Carolina and the founder of The Dr. D Project, a community-focused initiative dedicated to mentorship, education, and expanding access to oral health care. Dr. Askew provides comprehensive dental treatment with a focus on smile aesthetics, preventive care, and patient education, while also contributing to media discussions on dentistry, community outreach, and healthcare pathways. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Darian Askew is known for his work in community service, student mentorship, and public health advocacy across North Carolina. Through speaking engagements, collaborations with local organizations, and media features, he works to promote oral health awareness and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. His mission is to deliver modern, patient-centered dentistry while building programs that strengthen communities and expand access to care.

Dr. Shiv Goel, MD is a board-certified physician and the founder of Prime Vitality Care, a physician-led functional medicine and wellness clinic based in San Antonio, Texas, with telehealth services available to patients in all 50 states. Dr. Goel trained in internal medicine and functional and integrative medicine, and has spent his career building a practice model that treats the root causes of poor health rather than managing symptoms in isolation. His clinical philosophy is grounded in the understanding that hormones, metabolism, inflammation, gut health, and mental well-being are deeply interconnected systems — and that lasting health improvements require addressing all of them together. Prime Vitality Care specializes in physician-supervised GLP-1 medical weight loss programs using semaglutide and tirzepatide, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for women, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men, peptide therapy including Sermorelin, BPC-157, and PT-141, and comprehensive functional medicine consultations for patients with chronic fatigue, gut dysfunction, autoimmune concerns, and metabolic disease. Dr. Goel is a sought-after expert on the clinical application of GLP-1 therapies, the role of hormonal imbalance in weight resistance, and the future of physician-led telehealth medicine. He speaks regularly to the gap between what conventional medicine offers patients with metabolic dysfunction and what a root-cause, functional approach can deliver when the right diagnostics and time are applied. Through Prime Vitality Care's HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, Dr. Goel brings the same standard of clinical depth and personalization to patients nationwide that San Antonio patients have relied on in person — with lab coordination through local Quest Diagnostics or CPL sites and all prescriptions compounded and shipped directly to patients.

Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi is a human-centered AI innovator, executive advisor, and educator who designs AI-powered decision environments and platforms that strengthen human judgment, leadership, and accountability. She works with boards, executive teams, and institutions to move AI from experimentation into accountable, system-level adoption that improves decision quality, governance, and strategic clarity. Liz is the Originator, Editor-in-Chief, and Founding Platform Architect of AI for Humanity: Human-Centered Strategies for Innovation and Impact, an AI-powered platform and living anthology developed with the American Society for Artificial Intelligence (ASFAI). She also serves on ASFAI’s Board of Directors and is the Founding Chair of its Ethics & Responsible AI Committee. Through AI for Humanity, she convenes and synthesizes contributions from 40+ authors, using her 1+1+AI=10™ methodology and SHINE™ storytelling framework to model ethical, human-guided AI in practice and translate complex conversations into clear, values-aligned insight for leaders responsible for governance, workforce transformation, and innovation. An Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs, Liz designs and teaches the AI for Impact professional learning series, which helps cross-sector practitioners build practical, ethical AI use cases and custom agents. Her teaching integrates real-world experimentation with tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, AskHumans, NotebookLM, and Liz Ngonzi GPT ∞ — Human-Centered AI Guide, showing how AI can amplify human judgment, accountability, and public communication. Since 2023, her AI-focused leadership initiatives have reached more than 12,000 professionals across six continents. Her applied work spans Cornell Tech, the Mensa Foundation, and collaborations with global institutions exploring AI, democracy, and language. She is an inaugural member of the Gamma Gambassador Council and was selected for the inaugural Perplexity AI Business Fellowship, joining a global cohort of leaders exploring AI’s evolving role in business strategy. At Davos 2026, Liz launched AI for Humanity @ Davos, using the platform to deliver live synthesis of conversations on AI, governance, and workforce change. She has 25+ years of cross-sector experience across technology, business, education, and social impact and works selectively with boards, executive teams, and institutions seeking clear, accountable, and human-centered approaches to AI.

J.P. Gaston is a senior innovation leader, organizational change expert, and certified coach with over 20 years of experience spanning healthcare, telecommunications, and large-scale public systems. His work has included leading pediatric workforce strategy across five hospitals in Calgary, directing technology operations across Western Canada, and driving national digital and workforce transformation initiatives for organizations with teams of up to 10,000 employees. His expertise sits at the intersection of people, process, and technology—helping organizations modernize operations, adopt emerging tools (including AI and automation), and build leadership capacity without eroding trust, morale, or psychological safety. J.P. is frequently sought for clear, practical commentary on healthcare innovation, workforce shortages, leadership under pressure, organizational resistance to change, and human-centered transformation. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR – in progress), Change Management Specialist, Workplace Mental Health Leadership, and Mental Health First Aid, and has completed ICF-accredited coach training. J.P.’s work has been featured in Forbes and other business and leadership publications, and he has received multiple nominations and awards for leadership, innovation, and service excellence. Journalists value his ability to translate complex systems, emerging trends, and organizational psychology into grounded, quotable insights for executive, policy, and public audiences.

Leadership Strategist, Public Speaker, and bestselling author, Alinnette Casiano, is the founder of Growing Your EQ.™ She helps professionals lead with clarity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Her frameworks, including NeuroSCALE™, H.E.A.R.T.™, and CLOSE™, blend neuroscience, people-centered strategy, and practical leadership tools. She has spoken on stages like TEDx, She Leads Ai, and AWS, and has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and The CW, with collaborations across Powtoon, Notion, Synthesia, and more.

Dr. Leybelis Padilla, MD, FACG, is a Gastroenterologist and Lifestyle Medicine physician who has redefined what it means to heal from within. She founded Unlocking GI, an evidence-based telemedicine program that utilizes her 4 M framework—Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement—delivering personalized and sustainable micro habits that unlock vitality, improve digestive health, and elevate overall well-being. She is also a member of Dr. Joe Dispenza's Inner Health Coalition of healthcare practitioners that incorporate meditation and mindset principles into clinical practice. But her mission doesn’t stop at medicine. She’s also the co-founder of Game Beyond the Game, where alongside her husband, Prince, they curate luxury events designed to help high performers and brands transform their health, wealth, and vision. Whether she’s guiding patients or world-class achievers, Dr. Padilla is on a mission to turn obstacles into opportunities and unlock limitless potential.

Dr. Chantal Lunderville, MD is a UCSF-trained family medicine physician and nationally recognized expert in medical wellness, aesthetics, compliance, and practice growth. She serves as the Medical Wellness Editor for Lipgloss and Aftershave, a leading spa industry publication with a reach of more than 250,000 readers and followers. She has been mentioned in Forbes, and she has been a featured speaker for global brands including L’Oréal and Epicutis. As the medical director for 20+ aesthetic and wellness practices across California, Dr. Lunderville specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and entrepreneurs build safe, compliant, and scalable practices. She and her team have developed proprietary software that enables medspas to track compliance, medical director oversight, and regulatory requirements- now being made available to the public to elevate industry standards. She has also hosted large-scale women's wellness events and professional trainings with sponsors such as goop Kitchen, AQ Solutions, UnderSkin, South Coast Psychiatry, and Reproductive Partners. A former medical spa owner turned national consultant, Dr. Lunderville empowers women in aesthetics to build legacy-driven, ethical businesses. She is also a leader in longevity and preventive wellness, blending evidence-based lifestyle wellness with advanced regenerative treatments. She is also an aesthetic and womens health trainer focusing on new practitioners. Dr. Lunderville is available for expert commentary on aesthetics, medical wellness, compliance, women’s entrepreneurship, and the future of longevity medicine.

Elizabeth Rubin, MD is a board-certified physician with advanced fellowship training in Medical Simulation, specializing in education, patient safety, and systems innovation. She currently practices at a Level I Trauma Center in Los Angeles, California, where she cares for critically ill and injured patients. She also serves on the clinical oversight team at The Embers Treatment, a drug & alcohol treatment center in Arizona. Dr. Rubin earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by her medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and went on to pursue a fellowship in Medical Simulation at the University of Chicago / NorthShore University HealthSystem. Her professional interests include simulation-based education, quality improvement, patient safety, and developing innovative approaches to emergency medical training. Through her work, she strives to improve both clinician performance and patient outcomes in high-stakes, time-sensitive environments.

Dr. Roderick Davies is the founder of Optum Dental Arts and a leading expert in dental implants, full-arch reconstruction, digital workflows, and patient anxiety solutions. He is known for advancing comfort-centered, technology-driven dentistry through his Lifetime Care Philosophy.