Jamla Rizek, DNPc, MBA, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NHDP-BC, NRP, of Maryland

Jamla Rizek is an internationally recognized leader who continuously advocates for enhanced global disaster preparedness. Her work significantly improves emergency care efficiency in resource-limited settings and shapes international response strategies benefiting vulnerable populations. With more than 15 years in nursing and disaster response, she has made enduring contributions through leadership, innovative training, and advocacy. As a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and former executive assistant to the deputy surgeon general, her impact is recognized with prestigious awards. Her commitment extends to health care worker well-being and community resilience.

Her legacy includes extensive disaster preparedness training for health care professionals internationally and leading dozens of presentations and exercises. As a Harvard Disaster Medicine Fellowship alumna and current faculty, she strengthens nurses’ global disaster response role. She developed the innovative “Just in Time Training” for teams deploying to conflict zones, equipping more than 100 responders with critical skills to direct saving lives. A passionate advocate for increased disaster preparedness funding and policy, she ensures nurses are recognized as essential leaders globally. As a mentor and contributor to key publications, Rizek has shaped a more resilient emergency nursing workforce, ensuring the specialty’s central role in global disaster management.