Geralyn Johnson, DDS, MPH, is a public health leader with more than two decades of experience in health care systems, policy, and leadership. Her career has spanned public service, private sector leadership, academia, and consulting, driven by a commitment to improving how health services are delivered and how leaders are developed.
Since 2019, Dr. Johnson has served as an adjunct professor of global health at The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. She teaches leadership to doctoral students and program planning and evaluation at the master’s level. Alongside her academic role, she has led her own consulting practice since 2012.
As an independent health services consultant, Dr. Johnson specializes in evaluating health care systems, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing practical, scalable solutions. From 2013 to 2017, she also advised Federal Occupational Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, guiding strategy and operations in occupational health services.
Dr. Johnson’s leadership extends into the private sector, having served as vice president of correctional health services at The GEO Group Inc. from 2009 to 2012 and as vice president for telehealth at DIANAssociates from 2007 to 2009, where she helped expand the use of virtual care models. Earlier, she held a leadership role at the Department of Health and Human Services as chief of resource management for Project BioShield, overseeing critical aspects of emergency preparedness initiatives.
Dr. Johnson’s foundation in public health was shaped during her service in the U.S. Public Health Service, where she worked from 1979 to 2006. As both a dentist and an officer, she played a significant role in improving access to care and influencing public health policy. Her efforts were recognized through multiple awards for service and leadership.
Laying an educational foundation, Dr. Johnson earned a Master of Public Health in health care administration and management from Johns Hopkins University, a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University School of Dentistry, and undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee and the University of Wyoming.
Reflecting on her path, among Dr. Johnson’s most meaningful professional accomplishments is her work in controlling tuberculosis through the development of telehealth systems. The project demonstrated how technology can expand access to care and improve public health outcomes. Personally, she takes pride in being a lifelong learner and world traveler, having visited 63 countries.
Dr. Johnson attributes her success to the values instilled by her family and the guidance of mentors throughout her career. She believes that public health provides a unique opportunity to make an impact at scale and that strong leadership can transform systems from the inside out.
Looking to the future, Dr. Johnson remains dedicated to equipping future public health leaders through her work at George Washington University. She also plans to launch a blog focused on post-career exploration, highlighting how individuals can continue to contribute meaningfully to contemporary issues while embracing new adventures and lifelong learning. Outside of work, she enjoys cultural events, hiking, biking, sailing, and spending time outdoors.