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Telita Crosland

Nationally Recognized Leader in Military and Digital Healthcare Transformation

Recognized for leading one of the largest and most complex healthcare systems in the world with a focus on results, readiness, and reform
Offers real-world insight on leading through crisis, from pandemic response to global deployment of care
Delivers a bold vision for the future of healthcare—centered on equity, technology, and mission-driven service

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U.S. Army Lieutenant General (retired) Telita Crosland is a proven transformative leader in military healthcare. She served as the Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), overseeing the global healthcare of the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role, she managed a $61.4 billion Military Health System (MHS) budget and led 130,000 personnel in delivering healthcare to 9.5 million beneficiaries. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Surgeon General of the Army. She supported COVID-19 response, deploying medical professionals to over 150 hospitals across the nation and vaccinating 50,000 civilians. With over 36 years of military service, Telita has commanded at every level of the military health system with assignments that include Europe, Asia and Middle East. Her expertise spans global healthcare, financial management and international relations.

With a focus on patient-centered care that is accessible, equitable and holistic, Telita is a visionary in healthcare transformation, providing strategic guidance to organizations navigating healthcare policy, risk management and operational excellence. She led the military health system through the development and implementation of a digital strategy that prioritized a $30M investments in patient-centered technologies to enhance care delivery and operational readiness. Through the development of novel partnerships with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry leaders, Telita advanced a disruptive solution, the Digital Front Door, to support a value-based, integrated healthcare model that facilitated healthcare by leveraging telehealth and digital enhancements.

An accomplished public speaker, Telita has presented at prominent forums such as the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Oracle Health Summit 2024 and has been a guest lecturer for the National Defense University and Army War College. Telita won her second Wash100 Award in 2024 for spearheading technology modernization within both the DHA and the wider Military Health System.

Telita is board certified in Family Medicine and served as a Board Member for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She has also served on the Executive Advisory Council for the Society of Federal Health Professionals.

Telita graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, a Master of Public Health in Health Services Administration and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Originally from Queens, New York, Telita is the proud parent of her teenage son Jackson. She enjoys fine dining, traveling and watching her son play sports.

Speaker Video

Telita Crosland: The Future of Health Systems and Care Delivery

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Transforming Healthcare at Scale: Leadership Lessons from the Military Health System

Drawing on her experience leading one of the world’s largest and most complex healthcare systems, Dr. Telita Crosland offers insights into driving innovation and operational excellence in government-run healthcare. She unpacks the strategic and leadership challenges while implementing digital strategies that deliver value-based, integrated care across global operations.

Key Takeaways:

Navigating complex healthcare policy within large public sector organizations
Designing and executing enterprise-level digital transformation strategies
Leveraging telehealth and digital tools to scale patient-centered care

From West Point to Lieutenant General: Timeless Lessons in Leadership

With 36 years of decorated military service, Dr. Crosland shares powerful leadership lessons from her ascent through the ranks to become a three-star general. She reflects on commanding at every level of the military health system and leading teams across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, offering guidance on purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and humility under pressure.

Key Takeaways:

Leading with purpose and values to drive long-term impact
Developing competence and credibility as foundational leadership skills
Maintaining grace and humility in high-pressure, high-stakes environments

Reimagining Healthcare: Advancing Equity and Patient-Centered Innovation

Dr. Crosland presents a bold vision for the future of healthcare—one that is accessible, equitable, and holistic. Drawing on her experience modernizing the Military Health System through digital innovation and cross-sector collaboration, she shares how leaders can drive systemic change and elevate patient-centered care models.

Key Takeaways: