Pearl A. McElfish, Ph.D., MBA, M.S., serves as the founding director of the Institute for Community Health Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a certified project management professional and a certified community developer. McElfish is a national and international leader in rural health and health equity research and methodological research related to the best methods for conducting community-based participatory research and disseminating research results to participants and communities. She has published more than 270 peer-reviewed articles. In addition, McElfish has led large inter- and intra-institutional efforts to develop academic and clinical programs and population health efforts.