Leading Public Health Experts

Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani is a Professor of Public Health at New Mexico State University (NMSU), known for his extensive research and expertise in global health and social epidemiology

Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan is a global climate, health, and equity governance advisor focused on how heat, air pollution, and resource insecurity shape health outcomes in climate vulnerable settings. His work connects policy, financing, and frontline service delivery, with a strong emphasis on maternal health, mental health, and community resilience. Trained in dentistry, health administration, and global health delivery, he brings operational and systems experience across public health programs and digital health infrastructure. He provides clear, quote ready insights on climate adaptation for health systems, equity centered governance, and implementation pathways that move evidence into action.

Dr. Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at North Dakota State University, internationally recognized for his pioneering work at the intersection of digital epidemiology, pharmacovigilance, and artificial intelligence. His research harnesses advanced statistical modeling and AI to track and predict health behaviors, medication safety, and disease patterns in real time—bridging traditional epidemiology with next-generation digital health analytics. Dr. Bhagavathula has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Annals of Epidemiology, JAMA Network Open, and Lancet Digital Health. His work has been widely cited and featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, where he discussed the real-world safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). Recognized among the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% of Scientists (2019–2024) and elected as a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, Dr. Bhagavathula is known for translating complex data into actionable insights that shape public health policy and clinical practice. His ongoing projects include NIH- and NSF-aligned initiatives on AI-powered overdose forecasting, digital twins for public health, and real-world drug safety surveillance using explainable machine learning. With a decade of experience spanning more than two dozen countries and collaborations with organizations such as WHO, USAID, and UNICEF, Dr. Bhagavathula brings a global, data-driven, and human-centered approach to solving modern health crises.

Brian is the Chief AI Officer at Health-Vision.AI, LLC, where he leads responsible AI implementation and develops ethical AI, security, and governance frameworks for healthcare and life sciences organizations in the US and EU. He is also the founder of Envision-Health.AI and creator of HealthRoundsAI, a platform that helps future clinicians use AI ethically and communicate more effectively with patients. With decades of public- and private-sector experience in health tech, AI strategy, data governance, and digital innovation, Brian is a recognized thought leader on AI ethics, AI governance, and the societal impacts of AI in healthcare. He also serves as an adjunct instructor in social sciences and AI ethics and has published in JMIR, Public Health Reports, and the Journal of Community Health.

As a performance-driven healthcare technology executive, I bring 15+ years of experience defining product vision, leading end-to-end development, and driving innovation that improves outcomes and fuels growth. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building user-centered products that not only meet business goals but also serve a deeper purpose—enhancing trust, clarity, and impact in how we interact with technology. Whether in healthcare or beyond, I believe great products should empower people to make informed decisions and avoid becoming unintentional ambassadors of misinformation.

I am an MD-PhD physician-scientist with a passion for translating complex clinical and scientific data into clear, accurate content. My training and experience span clinical practice and translational research, with expertise across oncology, immunology, gastroenterology, inflammation & metabolism, and rare diseases. With over 10 years of experience, I have supported key deliverables including more than 30 peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts, slide decks, literature reviews, and scientific narratives. I enjoy working in collaborative, deadline-driven environments and am particularly interested in medical writing, medical information, and publication development, where scientific accuracy and effective storytelling intersect.

Nicholas Mukhtar's professional path shifted after he studied the Affordable Care Act while completing a medical program. According to Parks & Recreation Magazine, he decided to "create systems change at the community level and focus on prevention" rather than pursue clinical medicine. This decision led him to found Healthy Detroit in 2013, a nonprofit that transformed Detroit parks into community wellness centers. The organization provided free health screenings, fitness programming, and nutritional education, ultimately earning recognition as the American Public Health Association's National Public Health Organization of the Year in 2017. Mukhtar's academic credentials include a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University (2013) and dual master's degrees in Public Policy and Public Health from Johns Hopkins University (2017), where he was selected as a Bloomberg Fellow. He later founded Healthy Communities, LLC in Washington, D.C., a consulting firm through which he advised policymakers including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and contributed to the White House Office of American Innovation. Mukhtar currently operates Tera Strategies from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, providing management consulting services to CEOs, investors, and business owners. He speaks English, Arabic, and Spanish.

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.

Olusegun "Ish" Ishmael, MD, MBA, FACHE, is a physician executive and health-tech founder with 20+ years of C-suite leadership across safety-net health systems and Medicaid managed care, with a track record of translating strategy into measurable operational and clinical results. Most recently, he served as System Chief Operating Officer & Hospital President at MetroHealth (Cleveland), leading day-to-day operations for a $1.9B system with 8,000+ employees across multiple hospitals and 32 outpatient sites, driving $400M+ revenue growth, improving ED throughput and capacity, strengthening care management, and elevating patient experience. Previously at Sinai Health System (Chicago), he reduced ED boarding by a third and cut surgery cancellations in half through flow redesign, capacity optimization, and execution discipline. He has also led within Medicaid health plans with P&L accountability, improving medical cost performance while advancing outcomes and access. He is the CEO/Founder of MIRA Health, building a digital prevention and medication-adherence companion (with patented technology) designed to improve health outcomes, especially for people disadvantaged by socioeconomic barriers. An immigrant (came to the States at 5) physician-leader, he brings a practical, lived understanding of how systems can widen, or close, opportunity gaps, and he focuses his work on scalable solutions that make care simpler, more consistent, and more equitable. Topics I can speak on (expertise): ED throughput & capacity management; care management; patient experience; safety-net strategy; Medicaid policy/managed care; value-based care; health equity/SDOH; clinical leadership; workforce engagement and culture; digital health adoption; startup building; business growth; minority health issues; immigrant life; and executive leadership.

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.

Michael Prasad is a Certified Emergency Manager® and the Executive Director of the Center for Emergency Management Intelligence Research (www.cemir.org). He is also the volunteer president of the International Association of Emergency Managers-USA for Region 2, and a national-level expert on Mass Care, specifically for issues impacting children in disasters. He has an MA in emergency and disaster management from American Public University and advocates, researches, and writes professionally on emergency management policies and procedures. His published books include: "Emergency Management Threats and Hazards: Water", "Rusty the Emergency Management Cat", and "Leadership Lessons Learned and Applied in Emergency Management and Beyond." Links to articles, videos, podcasts, etc. can be found at www.michaelprasad.com.

With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, I am passionate about creating positive social impact and system change through collaboration, strategy, and innovation. As the CEO of HealthForce Partners California, I lead a cross-sector, multi-regional, non-profit partnership that connects healthcare, education, and workforce development to mitigate workforce shortages and build career opportunities in the regions we serve.

Terrence Hight, Jr., is the Founder and CEO of Hight Health, the world leader in providing access to care for underserved populations. Terrence has worked entrepreneurially and professionally in the healthcare industry for over a dozen years; leading projects for organizations such as Optum360, Dignity Health System, Northwell Health, and WellStar Health System. As CEO of Hight Health, Terrence oversees large-scale access to care community health events. Hight Health events have provided awareness and education to over 10,000 and the in-person events have provided health access to over 1,000 across Metro-Atlanta. Terrence was also a faculty member in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State University. In 2023, Terrence received a Georgia State University 40 Under 40 Alumni award. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University.

Aaron Blight, Ed.D., is an international speaker and consultant on caregiving, aging, and healthcare. He is the Founder of Caregiving Kinetics and has been recognized as a “Top 100 Healthcare Leader” by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare. Dr. Blight works with providers that serve aging and disabled populations to deliver workforce consulting, training for front-line caregivers, focus group research, and leadership advisory services. He also serves general employers that wish to support their employees with caregiving responsibilities at home. His career leading healthcare organizations spans more than two decades and includes the successful creation, development, and sale of a large home care company; a series of policy leadership positions at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and the study of caregiving as a phenomenon of social science. Dr. Blight speaks with groups all over the world about caregiving. In workshops and conference talks, he invites participants to think deeply about the meaning and significance of their individual caregiving experiences. His book, When Caregiving Calls: Guidance as You Care for a Parent, Spouse, or Aging Relative, received a Best Indie Book Award, an IPPY Award, and a Mom’s Choice Award. Dr. Blight holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree from the University of Baltimore, and a doctorate degree from The George Washington University. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Shenandoah University, an honorary board member of the Well Spouse Association, an advisory board member of the Duet Meaning & Hope Institute, and an advisory board member of Seniors First.

I am a nonprofit executive, human rights attorney, and cross-sector leader with more than 13 years of experience building and leading humanitarian, legal, and social-impact initiatives. My work has focused on nonprofit strategy, organizational growth, humanitarian response, global health equity, partnership development, and creating practical systems that allow mission-driven organizations to serve communities facing crisis and displacement. I founded and led Global Health Conscious, an international humanitarian nonprofit focused on expanding access to medical aid and health resources for refugee and underserved communities. In that role, I built the organization from the ground up, developing its mission, governance structure, operations, partnerships, fundraising strategy, volunteer engagement model, and program infrastructure. Under my leadership, the organization delivered millions of dollars in donated medical supplies and humanitarian aid to refugee communities, including communities served through UNRWA refugee camps. My leadership through Global Health Conscious required building partnerships across medical, academic, nonprofit, humanitarian, and community-based sectors. I worked with hospitals, universities, international relief actors, healthcare providers, volunteers, and local stakeholders to identify needs, coordinate resources, manage logistics, and deliver support in complex humanitarian settings. That experience shaped my leadership approach: mission-driven, operationally disciplined, partnership-focused, and grounded in the realities of serving communities with urgent and limited resources. My broader background combines nonprofit executive leadership with legal and humanitarian expertise. Across my career, I have worked on refugee protection, humanitarian response, access to services, coalition building, volunteer mobilization, program development, and organizational growth. I can provide commentary on nonprofit leadership, humanitarian response, global health equity, refugee and displaced communities, medical aid delivery, organizational strategy, cross-sector partnerships, volunteer engagement, coalition building, and the operational demands of mission-driven leadership. I am especially well positioned to speak about how nonprofit leaders build organizations from the ground up, develop partnerships across sectors, mobilize resources, and create systems that turn urgent humanitarian needs into coordinated action.

Eric is a seasoned executive with broad health IT expertise and relevant entrepreneurial skills. Following successfully founding G2Xchange Health, a membership-based online competitive intelligence firm for Federal Health IT executives, Eric recognized that environmental factors have been long neglected by the medical community. He founded DailyBreath, LLC to bring personalized environmental health to the vulnerable populations. Inspired to address environmental factors as a determinant of health for vulnerable populations, Eric has spent more than 10,000 hours in the domain of environmental factors and respiratory conditions. He quickly became a thought leader in understanding the impact of weather and environmental exposures on respiratory patients.

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.

Double Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics with experience in clinical research, hospitalist medicine, neonatal care and global health I collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of clinical specialists and researchers to provide high-quality patient care and evidence based medicine. I have a special interest in tropical medicine and international health. My goal is to improve the health and well-being of people across multiple settings, and to advocate for health equity and social justice.

Specialties: Population Health, Care Management, Accountable Care Organizations, Sustainable Health Communities, Provider Engagement, Product Development, Business & Health Care Strategy, Product Sales Support, Business Process Management, Telemedicine, Healthcare Information Technology, Operations, Physician Engagement, Clinical Redesign, Patient Flow, Wellness, Strategy, Patient Centered Medical Home, Health Policy, Managed Care, Medicaid, Medicare, Regulatory, Boards, Governance, Public Sector, Public Health, Analytics. Leadership Development and Nursing

Dr. Boluwatife OLU Afolabi is a dental surgeon and PhD candidate in Oral Biology at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms driving head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly the role of environmental carcinogens, inflammatory signaling, and transcriptional regulation in disease initiation and progression. His work investigates pathways such as the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) and S100A8/S100A9-mediated inflammatory responses using cellular and molecular models of oral epithelial transformation. He has extensive experience in cancer biology, oral pathology, toxicology, and translational biomedical research. Dr. Afolabi provides expert insight on oral cancer risk factors, environmental exposures and health, inflammation and disease mechanisms, dental-systemic health connections, and emerging directions in cancer research. He is also interested in public health implications of carcinogen exposure and prevention strategies in oral and head-and-neck disease.