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.

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.

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

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

I’m a lifesciences compliance strategist with a passion for building real-world, right-sized programs in fast-moving environments. With deep experience in pharma and medtech, I specialize in translating regulatory complexity into practical, actionable frameworks. I’ve spent 7+ years navigating the gray areas of compliance—from training physicians on industry expectations to building startup programs from the ground up. I believe compliance should be ethical, functional, and human-centered—and that culture is built through clarity, storytelling, and respect, not fear. Outside of policy and audits, I speak regularly on startup compliance and love turning “boring” topics into memorable moments. I'm here to connect, create, and contribute.

Dr. Natasha John is an academic writer based in London, UK, with a PhD and a deep passion for education and research. She is currently affiliated with NursingAssignmentHelpers.co.uk, where she dedicates her expertise to supporting students in their academic journeys. With a talent for simplifying complex ideas, Natasha strives to make learning more accessible and engaging for all. When she’s not working on academic projects, she enjoys exploring London’s vibrant streets, discovering new cafés, and spending time immersed in books and good coffee.

Dr. Chandril Chugh is a U.S.-trained, board-certified neurologist with over 17 years of global experience. He specializes in treating complex brain and spine conditions, including stroke, migraine, dementia, epilepsy, and brain trauma. He brings expertise in interventional neurology, using minimally invasive procedures to treat neurological emergencies and chronic disorders. Dr. Chugh also focuses on lifestyle-related issues like stress-induced anxiety, insomnia, and burnout—offering holistic solutions grounded in neuroscience. As co-founder of the Dr Good Deed Foundation, he has helped transform rural healthcare in India through teleclinics, health camps, and community outreach. Through social media and his digital series “Hello Doctor,” Dr. Chugh simplifies brain health and wellness for the public, making expert medical knowledge accessible and relatable to all.

I'm dedicated to empowering aspiring medical scribes through comprehensive, industry-relevant training programs. With a strong background in medical education and a passion for fostering professional development, I design and implement curricula that blend theoretical knowledge with practical application. My focus is on ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to excel in real-world healthcare environments. By prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and excellence in education, I strive to elevate the standards of medical scribe certification and contribute to the advancement of this vital role in modern healthcare.

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.