Carla January
Grimesland
Summary
Dr. Carla January is a distinguished military veteran and senior healthcare strategist with over 29 years of experience across federal, military, and academic sectors. She brings a robust portfolio in healthcare administration, leadership instruction, and curriculum development. Renowned for advancing clinical research translation, healthcare modernization, and competency-based learning, Dr. January is a certified online instructor with demonstrated success delivering inclusive, globally scalable education.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Manager & Technical Advisor
General Dynamics Information Technology
12.2020 - Current
- - Lead strategic initiatives translating clinical and behavioral health research into operational use across the Military Health System and Defense Health Agency.
- - Manage coordination of Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) submissions to ensure ethical compliance in human and animal research protocols.
- - Oversee integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, into clinical environments for improved detection of post-traumatic stress disorder and operational medicine readiness.
- - Direct transition agreements to bridge research to practice, facilitating rapid implementation of emerging solutions into healthcare delivery and policy frameworks.
- - Design and execute workforce development programs aligned with competency-based learning principles, regulatory requirements, and strategic objectives.
- - Collaborate with senior military leadership to optimize health system performance, care delivery models, and research-to-operational integration efforts.
- Remote
Executive Director, Air Force Medical Laboratory & Pathology Programs
United States Air Force
04.2017 - 12.2020
- - Served as the principal advisor to the Air Force Surgeon General for global laboratory operations and pathology strategy.
- - Led education and certification for a global workforce of 2,000 medical laboratory professionals.
- - Implemented competency-based training and technical assessments for 93,000 personnel.
- - Modernized curricula and career development pipelines aligned with evolving clinical demands.
Director, Inpatient and Clinical Laboratory Operations
Brooke Army Medical Center
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
07.2015 - 09.2018
- - Directed inpatient operations for 22 units and 425 beds with 11,000+ annual admissions.
- - Managed the largest Department of Defense clinical lab with 433 staff and a $15 million budget.
- - Oversaw 3.3 million diagnostic tests annually with 100% proficiency across national quality programs.
Senior Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations
Wright-Patterson Medical Center
Ohio
07.2010 - 07.2015
- - Directed Medical Laboratory Apprentice Phase II training.
- - Implemented hands-on, competency-based clinical education programs.
- - Developed and delivered the Air Force Medical Laboratory Promotion Fitness Test impacting 550 personnel.
- - Served as an inspector for College of American Pathologists, assessing academic compliance at civilian institutions.
Instructor – Leadership Development
Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
06.2004 - 07.2010
- - Instructed more than 1,100 professionals in leadership, communication, and ethics.
- - Designed adaptive curricula and assessments aligned with Community College of the Air Force and Air University standards.
- - Mentored students across diverse backgrounds in strategic thinking and operational leadership.
Education
Doctor of Healthcare Administration -
Virginia University of Lynchburg
Master of Business Administration - Project Management
Trident University International
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Thomas Edison State University
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Strategic planning
- Project leadership
- Scope management
- Strong analytical skills
- Training and mentoring
- Risk management
- Change management
Certification
- - Certified Online Instructor – Learning Resources Network (LERN)
- - Creative Intelligence Certification – Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- - Project Management Certificate – Syracuse University
- - Acquisition Ethics and Contracting Officer’s Representative – Defense Acquisition University
- - Professional Manager Certification – Community College of the Air Force
- - Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course – Air University
- - Medical Laboratory Technician – American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Affiliations
- - Global Advisor – World Change Summit
- - Advisory Member – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- - Legal Redress Committee Member – Pitt County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- - Inspector – College of American Pathologists
- - Mentor and Panelist – Leadership and Medical Education Forums
Academic & Research Appointments
- Subject Matter Expert – Healthcare Administration Curriculum Development
- Western Governors University, College of Health Professions
- - Provided academic expertise for master's-level healthcare leadership courses.
- - Developed curriculum aligned with Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) standards and adult learning frameworks.
- Global Instructor – Creative Intelligence Leadership Course
- Certified Course Endorsed by Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- - Delivered asynchronous virtual instruction to professionals across 19 countries.
- - Designed self-paced modules on creative intelligence, strategic leadership, and adaptive thinking.
- - Applied culturally responsive instructional strategies to support diverse global learners.
- Advisory Committee Member – Clinical Laboratory Science Program
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- - Advised on curriculum modernization and accreditation compliance.
- - Supported academic planning aligned with evolving clinical workforce demands.
Academic and Research Interests
- - Curriculum Design for Competency-Based Learning
- - Global Health Education and Workforce Development
- - Leadership Theory and Creative Intelligence
- - Translational Medical and Behavioral Health Research
- - Clinical Laboratory Science and Quality Systems
- - Health Systems Optimization and Equity
Timeline
Senior Program Manager & Technical Advisor
General Dynamics Information Technology
12.2020 - Current
Executive Director, Air Force Medical Laboratory & Pathology Programs
United States Air Force
04.2017 - 12.2020
Director, Inpatient and Clinical Laboratory Operations
Brooke Army Medical Center
07.2015 - 09.2018
Senior Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations
Wright-Patterson Medical Center
07.2010 - 07.2015
Instructor – Leadership Development
Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School
06.2004 - 07.2010
Master of Business Administration - Project Management
Trident University International
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Thomas Edison State University
Associate of Applied Science - Instructor Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Doctor of Healthcare Administration -
Virginia University of Lynchburg