Jessica Davila, assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Davila earned a master of science degree in epidemiology in 1998 and a Ph.D. in epidemiology in 2001. An active researcher, she has authored 23 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has served as principal or co-investigator on several research grants focused on cancer prognosis and cancer care delivery. In both 2002 and 2003, Davila earned a Best Overall Poster Award from the American College of Epidemiology. She serves on numerous journal editorial boards.

Jeremiah Garza, health project director with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, Calif. Garza earned a master of public health degree with an emphasis in community and behavioral health in 2002. In his current position, Garza builds partnerships that address public policy issues and raise awareness about obesity and type 2 diabetes among children and youth. He also is conducting innovative work in promoting healthy eating and active living in South Los Angeles, and he is helping to develop and implement a groundbreaking nutrition policy for Los Angeles County facilities. In 2004-05 Garza was named Outstanding Employee of the Year and was honored as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the West Los Angeles Children’s Planning Council.

Randall O’Donnell, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. O’Donnell earned a Ph.D. in hospital and health administration in 1977. An internationally recognized leader in children’s health care, he has served as CEO of Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics for 14 years. Children’s Mercy is consistently ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation and has received magnet designation for excellence in patient care. O’Donnell is recognized as one of the first leaders nationwide to advocate for the psychosocial needs of hospitalized children and their families. He is also known as a key leader in an advocacy effort that created legislation to fund the training of pediatric specialists at children’s hospitals nationwide. He recently worked with Guangzhou Children’s Hospital in China and lectured at the Sun Yat-sen University.

Lawrence Prybil, professor of health management and senior advisor to the dean in the UI College of Public Health. Prybil earned a Ph.D. in hospital and health administration in 1970 and is widely recognized for his contributions as a health care leader and educator. His career in hospital leadership included senior executive roles at Sisters of Mercy Health Corporation in Farmington Hills, Mich., and Daughters of Charity National Health System in St. Louis, Mo., where his work helped to propel both systems to their current stature among the best health care systems in America. Prybil returned to the UI to join the College of Public Health in 1999. He serves on numerous boards and is widely published in the areas of health care ethics, hospital governance and organization. His honors include the 2004 Walter J. McNerney Award for Health System Improvement and the Edwin L. Crosby Senior Fellowship in 2006.