Lynnette Rhodes, an esteemed figure in the arena of health policy in Georgia, has recently been recognized for her influential role by snagging a 2025 "Women of Influence" honor from the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Rhodes, who serves as the chief health policy officer for the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), was selected from a pool of nearly 300 nominees for her substantial contributions and leadership within the field.
In a statement released by the DCH, Rhodes expressed her sentiment on the accolade, "It’s an incredible honor to be recognized as a Woman of Influence alongside such a distinguished group of women, and leaders," she shared the spotlight by attributing her success to her colleagues, "I’ve had the privilege of working with dedicated teams who share that same purpose, especially in our efforts to advance policies that improve health outcomes and access for all Georgians." This award not only highlights her individual achievements but also the collective endeavors of those striving to better health policy and access in Georgia.
With a career spanning over two decades at the DCH, Rhodes has had her hand in sculpting crucial health policy and programs that have touched the lives of millions in Georgia. She's not new to roles of influence, having previously manned positions such as Director of Legal Services and the Executive Director of the Medical Assistance Plans Division. Now, in her current capacity, she harnesses her legal background to spearhead strategy and concrete outcomes in health policy and operations.
Rhodes's journey into health policy wasn’t a leap from her previous work, before joining the DCH, she was no stranger to public service as a senior public defender for the City of Atlanta, a role that enriched her experience in public sector law. Her academic accolades include a bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University, and she is also a North Carolina Central University School of Law alum, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2001. She holds membership with the State Bar of Georgia, which now has been for over two decades, and counting.
Her accolade will be officially presented at the Women of Influence ceremony set for October 9, at The Dogwood at Westside Paper in Atlanta. Rhodes will stand among 20 other notable women who are also set to receive this esteemed recognition for their remarkable influence in their respective fields.
