Our Team
A diverse group of passionate professionals dedicated to advancing health equity by reimagining public health delivery.
Board of Directors
Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD
Interim Vice Chair
Ricky N. Bluthenthal, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor and Chair of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC).
Dale Alverson, MD
Dr. Alverson is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, OB/Gyn, Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center, and Regents’ Professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine.
Eric Alegria, MPA, MA
Eric Alegria is a transformative executive leader and visionary in healthcare and public policy. His career spans a wide range of leadership roles across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors, reflecting a lifelong dedication to community impact and health equity.
Richard Chamberlain, DrPH, MPH, DipACLM, CPHA, CPM, CHW, LCI, RS
A passionate public health leader, Dr. Chamberlain focuses on advancing population health, improving community outcomes, and using lifestyle medicine to prevent and manage chronic disease. As a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, he believes in whole-person, evidence-based care and strives to embed these principles into public health systems and strategies.
Vanessa de la Cruz, MD
Dr. Vanessa de la Cruz is helping shape the behavioral healthcare landscape at scale. With executive administrative experience across state and county/parish systems, she also brings academic expertise from UCSF, Columbia, and Stanford, along with experience in education, training, and legislative work at both the state and policy levels.
Mark Echo Hawk
Mark Echo Hawk is a seasoned attorney and Tribal justice leader with decades of experience advancing Tribal sovereignty, economic development, and legal strategy. He serves as Chief Justice of the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court and leads a nationally respected Indian law practice based in Pocatello, Idaho.
Benjamin Gitterman, MD
Dr. Benjamin Gitterman is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University and Children’s National Medical Center, and a longtime pediatrician at Discovery Pediatrics. A recognized leader in community and environmental pediatrics, he has chaired national councils, founded a PEHSU center, and been named a Top Doctor by Washingtonian magazine.
Daniel Stephens, MD
Interim Chair
Daniel Stephens, MD, is a physician-executive and nonprofit leader advancing equity and innovation in child and adolescent health. As CEO of Ramapo for Children and former NYC Deputy Health Commissioner, he brings deep experience driving data-informed, community-rooted solutions across clinical, public health, and youth development sectors.