In an exclusive interview, I had the pleasure of sitting down with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, the fourth director of the Defense Health Agency, to delve into her extraordinary leadership journey. Throughout our discussion, she shared personal anecdotes and insights that have shaped her life as a leader, woman and an African American professional. From her humble beginnings in the boroughs of New York City, to her current role as a trailblazer in military medicine, she reflects on pivotal moments and offers invaluable advice to aspiring leaders.
A woman smiles while in a military uniform.
Crosland was born in the Brooklyn and later raised in Queens, where she cultivated a great passion for service and leadership. Reflecting on her upbringing, she described the tightly knit community. Crosland drew parallels to television shows of yesteryear, reminisced about her neighborhood, comprising rows of cozy, free-standing houses, the environment where she cherished the close bonds within her family, including her mother, father, two brothers, and sister — each contributing to the formative childhood memories that shaped her early life and who she is today.
At an early age, Crosland knew she wanted to become a doctor. “I always wanted to be a physician, since I was about 5 years old,” Crosland said of her calling to the profession.
Inspired by a childhood book and fueled by her determination, she even wrote a poem affirming her aspirations. Throughout her upbringing, she stayed steadfast in her desire to pursue a career in medicine. She attributes her unwavering determination to her parents, whom she considers her greatest inspiration.
Values
Her parents and family instilled in her a trio of values she has carried throughout her journey: expectations, accountability and unconditional love.
“You take those expectations, accountability and unconditional love, and you apply that to who you are as an adult and as a leader,” Crosland said. “As a leader, my job is to make sure I set the conditions so that those expectations can be realized. Absolutely, I see the fingerprints of my parents on the accountability — you’re here to bring value. “You’re here to contribute to this world no matter what, do what is right. “
“My sister is a teacher, and my brother is in law enforcement,” she added. “A lot of us serve, but you have to do good for others. That starts with doing good for your family.”
She explained it as first, they set high expectations, not only for her but also for her siblings. Next, they emphasized the importance of accountability, teaching her to take responsibility for her actions. Lastly, they showered her with unconditional love, affirming her value as a human being and instilling in her a duty to contribute to her family, her community and beyond.
Framing
Addressing the intersectionality of her identity as a woman and an African American in the military, Crosland said she doesn’t focus her achievements through that lens.
“I don’t actually frame anything I do day-in and day-out in the terms of my race or my gender. That’s always been a hard question for me to answer,” she said. “It’s not because I don’t understand the responsibility … certainly, there are challenges that come from being a woman in the military, there are challenges that come from being African American and being in the military.”
