Dr. Sharon Bannister is a former U.S. Air Force Major General with 15+ years of senior executive level healthcare experience leading complex healthcare teams during her 31-year military career. 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. Additionally, as a four-time military commander, she exercised decision authority for all policies, healthcare operations, resource management, budget execution, human resource management, risk management and community relations for clinics and hospitals both in garrison and deployed. She also served as the 20 th Chief of the Air Force Dental Corps directing dental policy and operational guidance for a global dental enterprise. Within the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress, and nationally, Dr. Bannister is known for her healthcare expertise, relationship building, and advocacy.
As a national leader in organized dentistry, Dr. Bannister served on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the Board of Directors of the AAP Foundation. In the latter capacity, she served as Board President. She is also a board-certified periodontist and a Fellow in the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry.
As a dedicated Veterans’ advocate, Sharon currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Military Women’s Memorial Foundation, the Be Good Foundation, and Dog Tag. Additionally, she is Co-Chair of the Miami University College of Arts and Science Alumni Advisory Board and a member of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine Leadership Council.
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. 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, wife, mom, Veteran’s advocate, and Gold Star daughter.