Richard K. Merchant earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Michigan State University, his master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Florida and conducted his Doctoral work in Medical Anthropology at Texas A&M University. For the past 20 years, Richard has lead organizations dedicated to health workforce development. Richard currently serves as the CEO for four nonprofit organizations: Northern Area Health Education Center in Canton New York, Central New York Area Health Education Center in Cortland New York, Brooklyn Queens Long Island Area Health Education Center in Brooklyn, New York, and Health WorkForce New York in Syracuse New York.  Along with his executive responsibilities, Richard teaches Medical Anthropology at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Prior to this, he spent 16 years as a faculty member at SUNY Potsdam teaching human disease in the Community Health Department, as well as Medical Anthropology in the Anthropology Department. From 1994 to 1999 Richard served as a faculty member at the University of Texas College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. Richard is past President of the New York State Association for Rural Health. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country/Community Health Center of the North Country, United Helpers, and numerous other State and National boards and associations. Richard is co-founder of the Crazy Good Foundation. He also has to his credit over 50 invited presentations and papers at national and international professional meetings and conferences.