Dr. Laura Lile of Alpharetta, Ga., a daughter of Attorney Levi W. and Nancy Lile of Bellefontaine, served this summer on the Vatican Emergency COVID-19 Commission, established by Pope Francis.
This honor followed her first meeting with the Pope in November 2019 while participating as a benefactor in The World Day of the Poor at the Vatican, where she was invited to share her knowledge in the fields of preventative health and wellness.
During the event last year, she received a personal blessing in a private audience with Pope Francis and was recognized for her medical successes and contributions.
Among these honors, Dr. Lile also received the ACISMOM Medal, coined in honor of the Order of Malta’s recent anniversary. The medal is dedicated to medical professionals engaged in the front lines helping people in need.
She also received the Medal of Honor from the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta in recognition of her dedication to improving global health and wellness.
A 1982 Ada High School graduate, Dr. Lile obtained her pharmacy degree from The Ohio State University in 1987. After working as a compounding pharmacist, she pursued her medical doctorate degree at the University of Toledo, previously known as the Medical College of Ohio, graduating in 2001.
She operates the global headquarters of Lile Wellness Partners in Alpharetta, Ga., and is married to Jim Tafel Jr. Dr. Lile has dedicated her time during the past three decades to developing, teaching and practicing the principles of preventative health care and wellness. She is continuing to work on a new operating system for primary care using 21st century alternative medicine, which is individualized to each patient.