Director, NAACP Center for Health Equity
Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a physician leader and social change agent dedicated to advancing health justice, community wellbeing, and population health. She serves as Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, where she leads efforts to drive equitable health outcomes and transform systems with a whole‑person approach. Before joining the NAACP, she founded The Esther Group, a public health consulting and strategy firm focused on helping organizations and communities innovate toward a healthier, more just future.
Previously, Dr. Chris was the first Chief Strategic Integration and Health Equity Officer at University Hospital in Newark, overseeing population health, strategic planning, community affairs, and patient experience. She also led workplace health and equity initiatives with 1199SEIU and healthcare partners across New York City. A recognized voice in preventive medicine, she has been honored by Insider NJ, ROI‑NJ, NJBiz, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the New Jersey Public Health Association.
Dr. Pernell advises leaders nationwide on racial justice, community wellbeing, and health equity. A graduate of Princeton, Duke, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins, she also serves as a clinical faculty member and faith leader committed to transforming lives through truth, creativity, and service.