Dynamic and
award-winning
professional

Welcome to my corner of the digital universe!

I’m Arletha Donnyale Lizana, a visionary leader committed to pioneering positive change in health and innovation. Here’s a glimpse into my journey, vision, education, and the accolades that shape my commitment to transforming the landscape of healthcare. Imagine a leader who doesn’t just dream but turns visions into reality. From steering the strategic direction of organizations to developing cutting-edge healthcare models, my hands-on approach has left an indelible mark. I’m not just about innovation; I’m about making a tangible impact on people’s lives.

Vision

Imagine a world where innovation meets impact… I envision a future where health and innovation seamlessly intertwine, fostering a world of equitable wellness and community empowerment. Through hands-on leadership and cutting-edge programs, I strive to create a legacy of positive impact, one that transcends conventional boundaries and transforms lives.

Background

As the Associate Vice President of Health Innovation & Strategy, Principal Investigator for the Innovation Learning Laboratory for Population Health, and Associate Professor, Arletha Lizana  stands at the forefront of healthcare transformation, blending strategic vision with hands-on leadership to drive innovation and improve population health.

With over 25 years of experience in project management, health improvement, and innovation strategy, Arletha Lizana has played pivotal roles in diverse capacities, contributing to projects at the international, federal, state, and local levels. As a healthcare innovation strategist, Arletha Lizana leads the Innovation Learning Laboratory for Population Health @Morehouse School of Medicine, a community-centered learning hub dedicated to designing and implementing innovative, technology-driven healthcare models. This laboratory not only fuels institutional health improvement but also fosters teaching and learning that bridges the gap between community and clinic through the power of technology.

Beyond borders, Arletha Lizana has been deeply engaged in capacity-building projects for renowned institutions such as The National Institutes of Health, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMS), The National Democratic Institute, the Department of Energy, and the Centers for Disease Control. Extensive fieldwork in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica reflects Arletha Lizana’s commitment to diverse global health perspectives.

Central to Arletha Lizana’s life’s work is a commitment to assisting community-based organizations, promoting community empowerment, embracing social innovation, respecting cultural diversity, and advocating for systems and policy change as vehicles for holistic health promotion and societal problem-solving.

Arletha Lizana is not only a strategic leader but also a mother of three beautiful daughters, a serial entrepreneur, and a university professor. Passionate about supporting women of color, promoting community empowerment, and teaching herbal medicine, Arletha Lizana founded Ceiba Women—a platform that empowers women to reclaim their health, prevent disease, and become healers and leaders in society. As well as Transforming Communities Inc dedicated to fostering positive community change, advancing public health and operational efficiency.

Education

Fueling her passion for innovation is a solid foundation in education. she holds an MBA in General Management, Entrepreneurship & Business of Healthcare from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Complementing this, she earned a Master of Public Health with dual tracks in Behavioral Sciences & Health Education from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. Her journey continued with a Ph.D. in Philosophy with a Social Science concentration from Temple University, and she earned her BA in History from Spelman College.