Leola Royston holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Leola has a passion for working with underserved populations and closing health disparity gaps.
Leola was a United States Naval Surface Warfare Officer for five years. She then worked with the Illinois Primary Healthcare Association as a Student Coordinator, assisting students of various medical professions in securing rotations in federally qualified healthcare centers. As well as with the American Cancer Society as a Patient Navigator/Health Educator, helping women obtain screening mammograms.
Leola worked as a Project Coordinator for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) Pediatric Oral Health Research and Policy Center. She studied ways to improve and streamline oral health implementation and caries screening in the primary care setting.
Leola is currently the Senior Manager, Education Development and Academic Support for AAPD. She is responsible for the management and execution of all initiatives, projects, and programs related to pediatric dentistry education and supports AAPD's members affiliated with academia and received her Certified Association Executive, CAE, designation in 2025.