Our Leadership
Lower Lights Health’s senior management team brings decades of experience and thoughtful leadership that guide the organization’s direction to fulfill our mission as a full-service medical home. The leadership team oversees the overall management of all Lower Lights initiatives, sites, programs and staff.
Anton Johnson
Anton Johnson leverages positions of influence to serve others—bringing diverse perspective, dynamic leadership, and lasting impact to some of healthcare’s most complex and consequential challenges.
A proud native of Columbus, Ohio, Anton is a mission-driven healthcare executive committed to improving access, equity, and outcomes for the communities he serves. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Public Health from The Ohio State University and, recognizing the power of strong operational leadership in advancing community health, went on to complete a Master of Health Administration at his alma mater.
Anton joined Lower Lights Health—a Federally Qualified Health Center and 501(c)(3) nonprofit—as Chief Operating Officer in 2023, where he helped strengthen operations, scale services, and advance the organization’s mission of providing high-quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay. In 2025, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization through its next chapter of growth, sustainability, and community impact. In this role, Anton is responsible for strategic direction, organizational performance, financial stewardship, and cultivating a values-driven culture centered on patients, staff, and the neighborhoods Lower Lights serves.
Prior to Lower Lights Health, Anton served as Director of the Primary and Ambulatory Care Service Line at OhioHealth. His career spans both rural community health systems and large, statewide organizations, with leadership experience across operations, strategy, and development in inpatient and ambulatory settings. Known for his ability to navigate complexity, Anton brings equal focus to the “what” and the “how” of leadership—pairing disciplined execution with empathy, collaboration, and innovation to drive meaningful improvement in patient care.
Beyond healthcare delivery, Anton is deeply committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and community empowerment. He has co-founded and led multiple business resource groups, creating pathways for employee growth and belonging. His community service includes board leadership with organizations such as Harambee Christian School, dedicated to educating and empowering inner-city youth. Mentorship is central to Anton’s purpose; for more than a decade, he has mentored young men, supporting their academic, personal, and spiritual development.
Anton is a husband and proud “dog dad,” recently welcoming a spirited puppy, Tito, into his family. Grounded in his faith and active in his church community, Anton approaches leadership with a deep sense of calling—seeking to make a positive, lasting impact in both this life and the next.
Lynette Palmer
Dr. Lynette Palmer is the Chief Quality Officer at Lower Lights Christian Health Center, overseeing the Quality Department and Compliance, after serving as Senior Director, Quality from 2015-2024. Her work focuses on improving patient care through Population Health Management, Care Coordination, Care Management and Clinical Quality, among other areas.
Before her tenure at Lower Lights, Dr. Palmer dedicated 18 years to serving as a Family Physician in Sierra Leone, where she also took on leadership roles and contributed to healthcare research and education. She comes with a rich background in healthcare management and public health, complemented by her academic involvement as an adjunct faculty in the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Health Education and Research (FAIMER) Center for Medical education in Context (CenMEDIC), Keele University, UK.
Dr. Palmer holds a master’s in health Professions Education from Keele University, UK, and certifications in Healthcare Quality and Lean Practice, alongside her board certification in Family Medicine by the West African College of Physicians.
Outside of her professional life, she is actively involved in her community as a member of the Vestry at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dublin. She is married to Kojo, both parents to two adult sons. Dr. Palmer enjoys reading, singing, and dancing in her leisure time.
Stephanie Lauden
Dr. Stephanie Lauden, CMO of Lower Lights Christian Health Center since September 2024, brings a diverse background in quality improvement, strategic planning, educational leadership, and grant-funded research. Previously, she served as Program Director for Integrated Pediatric & Psychiatric Consultative Services at the University of Colorado’s Pediatric Mental Health Institute and Medical Director at Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health Pavilion.
She earned bachelors degrees from the University of Rochester and her medical school degree from Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. Dr. Lauden completed her pediatrics residency and global health chief year at the University of Minnesota, during which she conducted multi-institutional research in Cameroon. Board certified in pediatrics, she holds a Certificate of Knowledge in Tropical Medicine and Travelers’ Health (CTropMed) from the ASTMH and Certificate in Leadership Excellence in Management Development from Harvard University. Dr. Lauden serves on the editorial board for Pediatrics in Review, has published over 25 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and presents her work both nationally and internationally. She was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 2022.
She is a passionate champion of equitable healthcare for vulnerable and underserved populations. Dr. Lauden is an active member of a local church and enjoys spending time with her bernedoodle and daughter.