Featured Health Services Research Experts

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.

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.

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. Ayesha Bryant, M.S.P.H, M.D. is a physician, clinical scientist, and associate professor dedicated to translating complex medical research into practical health solutions. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and multiple textbook chapters, Dr. Bryant is recognized for her contributions to perioperative outcomes research, preventive medicine, and quality-of-life improvement. She currently serves as a clinical advisor at Alpas Wellness, a drug, alcohol & mental health treatment center in Maryland. She completed her medical training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and Emory University, with additional training in epidemiology and public health. Her research has been featured at major national and international conferences, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Bryant’s expertise spans functional medicine, AI-driven healthcare algorithms, and national clinical data registry research. She is passionate about combining evidence-based medicine with real-world wellness strategies to improve patient outcomes and preventive care. In addition to her academic work, she has written for Rupa Health, where she shares insights on how readers can live healthier, more vibrant lives.

*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. Robert W. Buckingham, Dr.P.H., is Professor Emeritus of Public Health at the University of Michigan and a pioneer of the U.S. hospice movement. In 1974, he helped establish the first hospice in the United States and has since assisted in developing more than 80 hospice and long-term care programs worldwide. He is the author of 12 books and numerous peer-reviewed papers, including five on COVID-19. Dr. Buckingham also serves on the ASPHER–WHO COVID-19 Task Force, advising on pandemic response and preparedness. His career spans five decades at the intersection of hospice care, longevity, global health leadership, and end-of-life studies, making him a sought-after voice on aging, grief, and public health innovation.

Dr. James Lyons, M.D., is an internationally trained physician that was born in Germany. He is the son of a teacher and army veteran and was raised in Texas, but traveled extensively during his medical training. From medical rotations in French Hospital Systems, to his training in Miami at Ryder Trauma medical center and psychiatric training at TGK Prison, his depth of knowledge for those in acute crises is vast. In addition to his doctorate in medicine, Dr. Lyons also holds a Masters of Medical Sciences and coordinated research trials for schizophrenia pharmaceutical treatments in Dallas, TX. He completed his residency in Rural Michigan as a Family Medicine Physician, where he made home visits, and was rigorously trained in all aspects of medical care from delivering and caring for newborns, to end of life care. In his final year of training, he was named chief resident of this program. After 3 additional years practicing in rural east texas as a hospitalist in the acute setting, he, his wife, and their 4 children now reside back in Texas where he was raised, where his parents are retired, and where his sister works as a registered nurse in hospital leadership. Dr. Lyons continues to practice medicine in the acute setting as a hospitalist and emergency room physician in the greater Austin area. Aside from direct patient care, Dr. Lyons provides medical expertise and consulting while also being actively involved in performance improvement, infection control, and medical executive committees in the hospitals where he practices.

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. Arun Veera is a board-certified family medicine physician with over 14 years of clinical experience. He completed his medical education in India before earning his M.D. at Case Western Reserve University, where he also completed his residency in family medicine and served as Chief Resident. In addition, he holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University, enhancing his expertise in clinical leadership and health systems management. Throughout his career, Dr. Veera has provided comprehensive care to patients of all ages, managing a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions and performing a variety of family medicine procedures. He has a particular passion for mental health and is deeply committed to integrating behavioral health into primary care. His strengths include clinical problem-solving, evaluating complex presentations, and fostering strong, trusting relationships with patients and colleagues alike. Dr. Veera has been honored with the Fawaz Susan Pediatric Care Award (2009) and Physician of the Month (2017), and his research has been published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Beyond his clinical practice, he is actively involved in community service, volunteering with organizations such as Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross. Outside of medicine, Dr. Veera enjoys building large LEGO sets—a hobby that reflects his creativity, precision, and love for problem-solving. Above all, he values empathy and remains dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to the communities he serves.

Dr. Martin Schreiber, M.D. is a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and a surgeon with decades of experience in both military and civilian medicine. He is Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. During those deployments, he served as Chief of Surgery at the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit and later as Chief of Trauma at the 228th Combat Support Hospital at Shank. He also directed the Joint Theater Trauma System, where he worked to improve the way injured service members received care across combat zones. As a civilian, Dr. Schreiber built his career at Oregon Health & Science University, where he was a Professor of Surgery and Director of the Donald D. Trunkey Center for Civilian and Combat Casualty Care. His research has centered on some of the most pressing issues in critical care, including how to treat traumatic brain injury before patients reach the hospital, how to manage hemorrhagic shock, and how to develop new blood products when traditional supplies aren’t enough. His work has been funded by the Department of Defense, the NIH, and private industry. With more than 600 publications, along with leadership roles such as past Chair of the Trauma Center Association of America, Dr. Schreiber is recognized as one of the leaders in critical surgery today.

Amelia Haviland joined the Heinz College faculty as an Associate Professor in 2011. Prior to this position she was a Senior Statistician at the RAND Corporation where she worked since receiving her joint PhD in statistics and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University in 2003. She is the recipient of the Anna Loomis McCandless Chair, a Thomas Lord Distinguished Scholar Award (Institute for Civil Justice, RAND), a MacArthur Fellowship for Younger Scholars (MacArthur Research Network on Social Interactions and Economic Inequality), and a Wray Jackson Smith Scholarship (Section on Government Statistics, American Statistical Association). Dr. Haviland's research focuses on causal analysis with observational data and analysis of longitudinal and complex survey data applied to policy issues in health and criminology. For example, she recently led a team of researchers assessing the effects of high deductible account-based health insurance plans on health care costs, use, and disparities in the most comprehensive study on the topic to date. Other health policy work involves assessing mechanisms for health disparities for Medicare recipients and exploring connections between patient safety and recent reductions in medical malpractice claims. An example of her work in criminology is methodological work extending group-based trajectory modeling (semi-parametric longitudinal mixture models) to address causal questions with application to assessing the effect of gang membership on violent delinquency. She currently serves on the National Research Council Panel tasked with assessing the research evidence on whether there is a deterrent effect of the death penalty. This and other work of Dr. Haviland's has been published in journals such as Psychometrika, Psychological Methods, Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Human Resources, Survey Methodology, Criminology, Health Affairs, Health Services Research, Medical Care, and the Forum for Health Economics and Policy.

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.

High performing healthcare operations professional that is striving to bring strong leadership, strategic vision, innovation management, cutting edge technology implementation, and advanced process improvement into large health systems with the goal of advancing best practice.

Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke, MD, MBA, MPA, MS, FAAFP, CPE, is a West Point graduate, certified physician executive, and global healthcare leader with over two decades of leadership experience across more than 120 countries. In addition to his medical degree, he holds four master’s degrees and two professional fellowships. During his distinguished career in the U.S. Army, Dr. Hoedebecke was selected by the Surgeon General as the U.S. Army Physician of the Year in 2017. Following his military service, he became the first Utilization Management Medical Director at Oscar Health, where he built and led a dynamic team that helped guide the company’s successful public offering in 2021. Today, Dr. Hoedebecke serves as the Managing Partner of 1836 Ventures, investing in innovative healthcare technologies that improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce costs. He is also a Clinical Advisor at Alpas Virginia (NOVA), where he supports the integration of evidence-based medical care and advanced treatment models to optimize patient recovery and well-being.

Experienced Wellness Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, and Public Speaking. Strong healthcare services professional with a Master's degree focused in Educational Leadership and Administration, from Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, graduated in May of 2022 with a Specialist Degree from Liberty University (with distinction) also in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Enad is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, trauma, and joint replacement. He has authored multiple publications and is regularly cited in the media for his clinical knowledge. He also has clinical interest in exercise physiology and obesity medicine.

I hold a B.S. in Life Science and a Doctorate in Chiropractic, and my passion for mental wellness took a personal turn after a close loved one faced a suicide crisis. This experience fueled my drive to find practical, impactful solutions for mental wellness that can be integrated into everyday life and business environments. As a Mental Wellness Integration Architect, I specialize in helping businesses incorporate mental wellness strategies into their operations to support clients and employees. My work involves designing and implementing tailored mental wellness frameworks that improve stress management, reduce burnout, and foster resilience—while also generating new revenue streams through product recommendations and wellness conversations. My approach empowers businesses to make a difference without needing prior expertise in mental health, creating long-term impact and profitability.

Dr. Shernell Surratt-Gary, D.O., is a Tulsa, Oklahoma native whose journey reflects both determination and dedication. She graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, where her interest in medicine and the human body deepened. Before matriculating to medical school, Shernell gained valuable hands-on experience at Ascension St. John, working first in the pathology department and later in the catheterization lab. These formative roles not only strengthened her technical skills but also gave her a deep appreciation for the teamwork and precision required in healthcare. She went on to earn her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from OSU Center for Health Sciences, furthering her commitment to understanding health, science, and the human experience. In addition, she served as a Family Medicine Content Author for Rosh Review, LLC, contributing to medical education and board review resources for resident physicians. Dr. Surratt-Gary currently serves as a clinical advisor for Aura Wellness, a drug, alcohol & mental health treatment center in Kentucky. Beyond her academic and professional path, Shernell embraces family life with joy. She lives with her husband and their two children, cherishing the laughter, love, and everyday moments they share together.

Serving more than 2 million persons directly and indirectly with health education and wellness. Global stages to include, Haiti, Liberia, Jamaica, to name a few. We work with healthcare owners in our region to recover the $200,000 to $1M in annual profit they are currently losing to agency travelers and RN turnover by fixing the 'Manager Disconnect' that's driving their best people away.

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.