TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Whitney Perkins Witt, PhD, MPH

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Whitney Perkins Witt, PhD, MPH is an internationally recognized expert in health innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, with over three decades of experience transforming healthcare delivery and outcomes. Her groundbreaking work in population health, health equity, and strategic leadership has redefined the field, setting new standards for both policy and practice.

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As president and CEO of the Health Equity Consulting (HEC) Group, based in Philadelphia, Dr. Witt has spearheaded systemic change by building powerful partnerships across academia, private industry, government agencies, and non-profits. She is known for her ability to break down silos and drive collaboration to develop scalable solutions for healthcare's most complex issues. "My mission is to unite healthcare, social services, business, and government to create transformative, data-driven solutions that improve population health and reform systems like Medicaid," says Dr. Witt. "Through strategic collaboration, we can achieve equitable health outcomes and meaningful change."

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Dr. Witt’s expertise extends to academia, where she served as the inaugural dean of Lehigh University's College of Health. There, she established the first U.S. educational programs focused on population health and health innovation. She also built a state-of-the-art research infrastructure, launching initiatives like the Health Data Warehouse and an artificial intelligence and data visualization laboratory. Dr. Witt secured over $5 million in funding within a short period, demonstrating her proficiency in resource mobilization and establishing herself as a key figure in academic health entrepreneurship.

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Prior to joining Lehigh, Dr. Witt was director of the Center for Maternal and Child Health Research at IBM Watson Health, where she led multimillion-dollar research projects for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Her leadership on technical assistance programs supported Medicaid and CHIP agencies in value-based care and payment reform, helping states design and implement strategies that improved maternal and child health outcomes.

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During her tenure at IBM, Dr. Witt also led the development of award-winning healthcare solutions using advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical health issues worldwide. Her contributions earned her several prestigious IBM accolades, including the Watson Health Cognitive Competition Award, the IBM Solutions Lab Services Award, and the IBM Appreciation for Expertise Award. She is also an IBM Certified Practitioner of Cognitive Solutions.

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"Innovation is essential to advancing health equity and addressing the social determinants of health," Dr. Witt emphasizes. "By integrating community-driven solutions with technology and policy reform, we can reduce costs, improve outcomes, and build equitable care systems that serve everyone."

 

Dr. Witt’s leadership and entrepreneurial vision continue to redefine healthcare. A preeminent figure in health innovation, her legacy is built on transforming challenges into opportunities and advancing health equity through technology, collaboration, and a deep commitment to social justice. Her approach has the power to transform millions of lives across generations, making equitable care a reality for all.

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Whitney Perkins Witt, PhD, MPH
Founder, President and CEO
The Health Equity Consulting (HEC) Group
Website: https://www.healthequityconsult.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-whitney-perkins-witt
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-health-equity-consulting-group-hec-group 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/health.equity.consulting.group
Twitter: https://x.com/WPW_PhD_MPH
Dr. Witt’s Publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=witt+wp+%5Bauthor%5D&sort=date