About Dr. Prince
Dr. Prince, founder and CEO of The HEALS Academy, is a transformative force in health-system literacy. With advanced degree in public health from the world's top public health school, Johns Hopkins University, diverse experiences from community to federal levels, and Scrum Master certification, he combines academic rigor with practical strategies to demystify the health system. Through The HEALS Academy, Dr. Prince designs accessible learning paths that empower individuals and organizations to navigate the US health system with confidence.
A Journey from Tragedy to Transformation in Healthcare Leadership
When Dr. Prince reflects on his journey from Ghana to the United States since 2016, he sees not just milestones but a deep and unyielding commitment to creating a more equitable and accessible healthcare system. For Dr. Prince, healthcare is more than systems and data; it’s about lives, family, and the communities often marginalized in the statistics. His career is rooted in a profound drive to transform the healthcare landscape, ensuring that underserved and vulnerable populations are treated with dignity, precision, and care.
Stage 1
A Personal Awakening in Ghana and the U.S.
Dr. Prince’s story began with a troubling reality.
Watching as friends and family members succumbed to treatable ailments, he witnessed firsthand the the impact that lack of knowledge, infrastructure, and resource had on lives in Ghana. Many deaths went unexplained, forcing loved ones to turn to superstition for answers. These experiences forged in him a determination to bridge the gap between suffering and solutions and ultimately led him to pursue a healthcare career. But the shock didn’t end when he arrived in the United States. In 2008, two years after arriving, Dr. Prince heard the heartbreaking story of Deamonte Driver, the 12-year-old boy who died from an untreated tooth infection because his family could not afford healthcare. That a life could be lost due to lack of access in a country often viewed as the pinnacle of progress shook him to his core. This experience ignited his mission to delve deeper into the healthcare system and equipped him to bring transformative change where it was needed most.
Stage 2
Early Career Foundations and Skills Development
Dr. Prince’s journey into public health and health policy led him to University of Michigan's School of Public Health and being one of two awardees of the Prestigiuous Hospital Corporations of America (HCA) Corris Boyd Scholarship, where he built key competencies, focusing on health management and policy.
His work within US Health System involved projects designed to improve patient experience and optimize hospital resources, underscoring his goal of making healthcare not only effective but equitable. One project, working with St. Mary Mercy Hospital, revealed the powerful connection between employee engagement and patient satisfaction—a finding that highlighted the intricate relationship between internal processes and patient care. His studies at the University of Michigan culminated in a capstone project assessing the Health Information Exchange in Washtenaw County, where he and his team recommended improvements to bridge existing gaps. This project received glowing feedback for its clarity and practical solutions, strengthening his conviction that data-driven strategies could revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve outcomes.
Stage 3
Impacting National Healthcare System at CMS
Dr. Prince's leadership and expertise continued to grow in his career with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
From 2012 to 2022, he helped manage the massive Medicare Advantage Encounter Data Project, an essential element in ensuring that Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) submit accurate and complete encounter data. This data is vital to improving the quality of care for beneficiaries, identifying inefficiencies, and ensuring that payments reflect real-world healthcare needs. His team's work contributed to over $250 billion in MA payments annually, providing a solid foundation for sustainable, equitable care. His commitment to accuracy and excellence has been recognized with several CMS Awards, for example: the 2020 CMS Honors Award & Unleashing Innovation Award—a testament to his dedication to high standards and service to millions of Americans.
Stage 4
Expanding Influence at the Executive Office of the President
In 2020, Dr. Prince joined the Executive Office to support the Federal Data Strategy.
In 2020, Dr. Prince expanded his impact by taking on a role with the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C., focusing on the Federal Data Strategy (FDS) Action Plans. Here, he was responsible for leading analytics for federal agencies' action plan execution data, an integral part of the federal government’s 10-year goals to optimize data use. His work provided insights that helped shape federal data policy and enhanced the ability of agencies to meet evidence-based policymaking goals. By communicating these initiatives effectively to senior leadership and the broader public, he fostered transparency, accountability, and a sense of unity around the FDS mission.
Stage 5
Worked Granular Insurance, A Subsidiary of Verily, An Alphabet Company
Advancing Data-Driven Health Risk Management and Operational Efficiency
As a Business Intelligence Analyst at Verily Life Sciences, Granular Insurance, Alphabet Inc., Dr. Prince led data-driven initiatives to enhance health risk assessment and management in stop-loss insurance in the commercial healthcare space for employers. He spearheaded the development of the company’s first Salesforce data dictionary, standardizing data understanding across Sales, Underwriting, Technology, and Account Management teams. Additionally, he designed and implemented a self-service reporting tool using the Google Cloud Looker Studio, empowering stakeholders to generate real-time insights on claims, premiums, and reimbursements, significantly reducing reliance on data analysts. His contributions streamlined decision-making, improved operational workflows, and enhanced reporting efficiency across the organization and its employer clients.
Pioneering the Health-System Literacy Revolution
The HEALS Academy is the leading platform dedicated to improving health-system literacy for individuals, professionals, and organizations alike. With a mission to make healthcare knowledge accessible and actionable, The HEALS Academy is shaping a society where understanding the health system is a step to innovative outcomes.
Stage 6
A Thought Leader for Equitable, Data-Driven Healthcare
Throughout his career, Dr. Prince has sought to bring human-centered perspectives to the world of health data and systems.
He has dedicated himself to educating healthcare professionals and policymakers on how to utilize data meaningfully to address health disparities and to make a difference in underserved communities. As he says, “Behind every data point is a human story, a life impacted.” His conviction to use data as a tool for change is both inspiring and practical, positioning him as a thought leader and innovator in healthcare systems and policy.
Dr. Prince's journey is one of resilience, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to creating a world where healthcare is equitable, accessible, and focused on the people it serves. His work at The HEALS Academy and beyond is setting a new standard for healthcare systems, not just in the United States but globally, empowering professionals and individuals alike to navigate and improve complex health systems. As he continues his mission, Dr. Prince's vision for a world where every community, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, receives the quality care it deserves.
Since 2022, The HEALS Academy has focused on establishing itself as a trusted brand, specializing in two key learning pathways: Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Made Easy and Health Benefits Made Easy. These pathways provide both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge to navigate the complexities of US health system confidently.
Our Vision
To create a world where health-system literacy is universal, empowering healthcare professionals, consumers and organizations to build resilient, informed communities.
Our Mission
The HEALS Academy provides education, tools, and support that simplify health systems, empowering clients to make informed decisions, navigate challenges, and achieve better health outcomes.
Our Approach
The 7E Framework Ladder
Our signature 7E Framework guides clients from foundational knowledge to expertise in health-system literacy:
Educating - Providing foundational knowledge about Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment (RA), which is a cornerstone to value-based care (VBC).
Enlightening - Demonstrating practical applications of complex concepts.
Excelling - Fostering career success and meaningful contributions to healthcare.
Enabling - Equipping professionals with tools to implement solutions effectively.
Engaging - Encouraging continuous learning and collaboration.
Executing - Driving precise and informed action.
Excelling - Fostering career success and meaningful contributions to healthcare.
At the heart of our mission are the values that guide everything we do.
Dr. Prince transforms the lives of families, professionals and organizations
Ready to Simplify Healthcare for Your Organization?
Speak with The HEALS Academy today and discover how Dr. Prince's expertise can empower your organization to make informed, impactful decisions.