George Mason University’s College of Public Health welcomes Jason Alexander and three-time George Mason alumna Theresa (Terry) Davis as the newest members of the College of Public Health Advisory Board. Alexander is the Vice President of the Medical Disability Examination Program at Optum Serve, and Davis is assistant vice president of nursing at the High Reliability Center, Inova Health System.
“Jason Alexander and Terry Davis are dynamic additions to this highly respected and experienced group of leaders. Their individual and combined insight and expertise enhance an already highly impressive group. As the college ushers in a new era as the first and only Council on Education for Public Health-accredited college of public health in Virginia, our board members, new and existing, will keep our upward momentum of excellence in public health education, research, and practice,” said Melissa Perry, dean of the college of public health.
Alexander’s future-forward perspective will further propel the college’s trajectory as a leader in innovation, research, and scholarship.
“The college serves as both an incubator and accelerator for the next generation of public health professionals,” Alexander said. “The College of Public Health at George Mason University is uniquely positioned to be a transformative force and national leader in shaping the future public health workforce. As public health challenges grow more complex—ranging from global pandemics to chronic disease management —the need for a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also interdisciplinary, culturally competent, and systems-oriented has never been greater. The college can play a pivotal role by integrating cross-disciplinary education, emphasizing experiential learning, championing diversity and inclusion, and investing in leadership development.”
Alexander is a nationally recognized healthcare executive with more than 27 years of leadership experience spanning the private sector and the U.S. Department of Defense. In this capacity at Optum Serve, Alexander leads a nationwide program that delivers over 1.7 million disability examinations annually, supporting more than 750,000 Veterans through a network of nearly 6,500 medical facilities and over 8,000 clinicians, providers, and support staff.
Davis, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the School of Nursing, celebrates the college for its unparalleled approach to public health pedagogy.
“The College of Public Health plays a fundamental role in the development of the public health workforce. The use of simulation, virtual capability, and AI allows the programs to grow across disciplines and prepares us for the future of education,” she said. “This knowledge and experience are critical as we will continue to see the evolution in public health needs across Virginia and around the world. The university's cultural diversity prepares students to realize the importance of recognizing cultural awareness and understanding.”
Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN is a recognized leader in critical care and teleICU innovation, she directed enVision teleICU from 2004 to 2021 and spearheaded the Teledisaster Program across Northern Virginia hospitals. As a pioneer in the integration of technology into health care, Davis applauds the college’s technology-first, human-centered approach to public health education.
Additionally, the college extends its thanks for their service to Carolyn A. Taylor, Gloria Addo-Ayensu, and Robert Blancato, who have completed their board terms.
About the new board members
Jason Alexander, MBA, MSF, FACHE
Alexander’s career is distinguished by a consistent track record of operational excellence, strategic growth, and healthcare innovation. He has held senior executive roles across a diverse range of healthcare organizations, including academic medical centers, independent physician groups, and private equity-backed ventures. His leadership has been instrumental in driving successful acquisitions, launching new markets, and developing high-impact clinical programs at organizations such as Penn State Health, Optum Home & Community, and Mindful Health Solutions.
A retired U.S. Army veteran, Alexander previously served as Director of Telehealth for the Atlantic Region, where he pioneered the Department of Defense’s first emergency department telehealth solution and authored the foundational business model for the Virtual Medical Center. His military service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award.
Alexander holds a Master of Business Administration from American Public University and a Master of Science in Finance from Northeastern University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and has served in leadership roles on several ACHE boards, including as President of the Central Pennsylvania chapter.
His contributions to the healthcare field have earned him multiple accolades, including the Optum New Colleague Spotlight Award, the Optum Orion Star Award for capturing a multi-billion-dollar growth opportunity, the ACHE Regent’s Award, and induction into the Order of Military Medical Merit. Alexander continues to shape the future of healthcare delivery with a focus on access, innovation, and service to those who have served.
Theresa Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN
A longtime contributor to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Davis is the immediate past president of the board (2024–2025), having previously held roles as president, president-elect, treasurer, and director. Her service extends to numerous AACN committees and initiatives, including the Beacon Award review and TeleICU Task Force.
Her clinical expertise spans trauma/neuro critical care, healing touch, and technology acceptance. She’s widely published and co-authored influential works such as AACN TeleICU Nursing Practice: An Expert Consensus Statement and Tele-ICU Today: Connecting Care Through Innovation.
Davis is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and holds memberships in the Virginia Nurses Association, Sigma’s Epsilon Zeta Chapter, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. She also chaired the American Telemedicine Association’s Tele-ICU Special Interest Group and contributed to the ANA’s Connected Health/Telehealth Panel.
Honors include the 2017 IAMS Quality Merit Citation and George Mason University’s Alumni of the Year (2015). She earned her PhD, MSN, and BSN from George Mason University and is a certified healing touch practitioner. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.
Davis also served as adjunct faculty at George Mason University and Shenandoah University, focusing on nursing informatics, pathophysiology, and research.