Erik L. Carlton, DrPH, MS, CPH, FACHE is a tenured Associate Professor of Health Policy, Management and Leadership at the West Virginia University School of Public Health. He is also Director of the Appalachian Health Workforce Institute. An innovative and accomplished academic leader, Dr. Carlton is board-certified in both public health and healthcare administration. He has nearly two decades of leadership experience in both the private and public sectors; and has consulted numerous hospital systems, health departments, and healthcare organizations, as well as several universities and other large businesses. His current research focuses on psychological safety with an emphasis in both healthcare and higher education. His previous scholarship focused heavily on the integration of healthcare and public health systems and on university-community relations. Dr. Carlton is the author of four books and dozens of peer-reviewed papers and presentations. He has a strong presence in global healthcare leadership development, having lived in both France and China and having trained clinical and administrative leaders from over 70 countries. Dr. Carlton holds a Doctor of Public Health degree in Health Services Management and a Master of Science degree in Family Studies with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, both from the University of Kentucky, and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.