Marianyoly Ortiz

As Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Public Health Trust (PRPHT), Doctor Ortiz leads comprehensive initiatives to address Puerto Rico’s most urgent public health challenges. Her leadership focuses on expanding access to health services, strengthening systems of care, and promoting evidence-informed solutions with measurable outcomes. She oversees cross-sector collaborations that enhance service delivery, particularly for underserved and rural communities throughout the archipelago. During Dr. Ortiz’s tenure, PRPHT has been leading a wide-ranging portfolio of programs focused on disaster preparedness, health education, and workforce development. A key initiative under her direction has been the recognition of Community Health Workers as essential connectors in delivering culturally competent care. She has also prioritized expanding telemedicine and telehealth services to support primary care providers in managing chronic diseases and behavioral health needs, particularly in regions with limited specialist access. Under her leadership, the organization has been advancing participatory disaster planning with vulnerable communities and overseeing ECHO learning collaboratives that train healthcare professionals in areas such as maternal health, social determinants of health and healthier lifestyles—enhancing knowledge and care capacity across the island. Her strategic direction has further supported youth leadership, digital literacy for older adults, and the inclusion of people with disabilities, reflecting a holistic, community-centered approach to improving population health.

Before assuming her current role, Doctor Ortiz served for five years as Associate Director of the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU), where she established modern entomology laboratories, implemented a mosquito surveillance system, and led public education and outreach initiatives to advance vector control. Her work in vector-borne disease prevention was bolstered by her active involvement in national scientific networks, including her role as a founding member of the Vector-Borne Disease Network and participation in the NSF National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).

Earlier in her career, Doctor Ortiz held leadership roles in grant management and research development at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT), where she contributed to establishing the Tropical Biodiversity Center and improving scientific grant evaluation processes. She also taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce and Interamerican University Metro Campus.

Doctor Ortiz professional service includes board membership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Caribbean Division, and recent appointment to the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) Board. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Microbiology and is a Board-Certified Entomologist (BCE), bringing strategic vision, scientific rigor, and community focus to all her roles.