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Dr. Bannister is a renowned senior healthcare executive with 20+ years of C-level experience leading complex healthcare teams. As a trusted and proven professional, she drove policy and strategic direction for the $52B Department of Defense healthcare system. Having served in multiple critical governance roles in the Department of the Air Force, the Defense Health Agency, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs during the historic, Congressionally mandated Military Health System reform, she was recognized for producing multibillion-dollar results through the development of inclusive teams with a shared passion for crafting, marketing, and executing strategy designed for global impact. Within the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress, and nationally, Dr. Bannister is known for her healthcare expertise, relationship building, and advocacy.
Sharon is a retired Air Force Major General who served in uniform at the strategic, operational, and tactical leadership levels globally for 31 years. She also served as the 20th Chief of the Air Force Dental Corps, directing dental policy and operational guidance for a global dental enterprise. A national leader in organized dentistry, she has served on the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Board of Trustees and the AAP Foundation Board, where she served as President. Additionally, as a dedicated Veterans’ advocate, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Military Women’s Memorial Foundation, the Be Good Foundation, and Dog Tag, Inc.
Dr. Bannister received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry, as well as Master of Science degrees in Periodontics from the University of Texas Health Science Center and National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry was received from Miami University, where she was recently awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and co-chairs the Miami University College of Arts and Science Alumni Advisory Board. Sharon is a nationally renowned speaker who connects with audiences through her diverse background as a servant leader, dedicated healthcare executive, board-certified periodontist, educator, Veteran, wife, mom, and Gold Star daughter.
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