Healthcare Education Experts 2025

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.

*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.

Solving complex healthcare problems with innovative applications and simple solutions for…

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.

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.

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.

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.

My career in healthcare leadership has evolved to a dynamic intersection of clinical excellence and operational optimization as a Nurse Executive. Leveraging a PhD in Nursing Administration and a rich background as a nurse leader, I specialize in transforming healthcare for administrators and frontline staff alike. The mission to elevate patient care through innovation and strategic relationships guides my approach. My career has spanned multiple areas of expertise from adult critical care, emergency services (hospital and non hospital based), and pediatrics. I am uniquely positioned to provide guidance in hospital operations, reimbursement, staffing, engagement, and retention in a constantly pivoting economic and political climate.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

I am a VP of Technology Solutions at OSP, a company that works with healthcare organizations and partners to boost their processes and services with advanced customized, sustainable solutions. With over 4.5 years of experience in this role, I have developed a deep expertise in AI and healthcare, and how they can enhance each other without losing their humanity. My mission is to help healthcare companies and partners leverage AI to improve health outcomes, quality of care, and operational efficiency. I have led business development, operations, and partnerships for various AI and IoT projects for finance, energy, oil & gas, health, and vision-enabled products. I also hold an executive education certificate in AI from MIT Sloan School of Management, and several other certifications in technology, strategic thinking, and leadership. I am passionate about learning and applying new technologies to solve real-world problems and create positive impact.

At Trainings Time, we believe learning shouldn’t be limited by time. As a dedicated Compliance Training Provider, we offer flexible, expert-led courses designed to fit into your busy life. From live sessions to on-demand webinars and CEU-accredited programs, our goal is to help you stay ahead in your career without added stress. Whether you’re chasing professional growth or meeting compliance goals, we’re here to make learning easy, affordable, and truly impactful—whenever and wherever you need it.

Taylor Jackson, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Telemedix, a modern telehealth platform delivering convenient, patient-centered care across multiple states. With a background in both clinical practice and digital health innovation, Taylor specializes in primary care, dermatology, and evidence-based wellness treatments, including weight management and preventative care. Through Telemedix, Taylor focuses on improving access to high-quality healthcare by leveraging asynchronous telemedicine, allowing patients to receive timely, efficient care without traditional barriers. Taylor is particularly passionate about patient education, safe prescribing practices, and making healthcare more accessible for busy individuals and underserved populations. With years of frontline healthcare experience, Taylor brings a practical, compassionate perspective to topics including telehealth, digital health trends, primary care, and patient safety.

NFC Academy provides fully accredited homeschool education programs for students across the U.S. Our online education programs suit students from kindergarten through high school. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that we are accredited by Cognia, the Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. In addition to having highly qualified teachers to facilitate our education programs, we also provide live graduation services, extensive online resources for students and at-home teachers, flexible commencement times, and more. Learn more: Accredited online homeschool programs Online kindergarten homeschool Online elementary school NFC Academy High School Online

Ravish Shah is a management analyst at AIHT Education, where he focuses on analyzing operational performance, education program effectiveness, and workforce trends in the U.S. healthcare training sector. His work centers on data-driven insights that support informed decision-making, program optimization, and student success.

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.