Ileana Arias

Following an extended illness, Dr. Ileana Arias, 68, died July 11, 2025.

Ileana was born August 29, 1956, in Havana, Cuba, the beloved daughter of the late Jose and Elida Arias (later Elida Gomez). Ileana grew up in New York City and later in Forest Hills, New York. She was raised in a close-knit family, surrounded by her parents, sister, and a large extended family of aunts and cousins who lived nearby.

She was a graduate of Barnard College in New York City, where she earned a degree in Psychology. She went on to receive her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. In addition to being fluent in English and Spanish, Ileana also spoke French and German.

Ileana began her career as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Georgia in 1985. In addition to her outstanding teaching and research, she served as Director of Clinical Training and Professor of Clinical Psychology. It was during this time that she became increasingly interested in addressing problems from a public health perspective.

In 2000, driven by her deep commitment to public health, Ileana joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she quickly formed a strong and lasting connection to the agency. She was often called upon to lead high-level initiatives and serve in executive roles, a reflection of the trust her colleagues placed in her judgment, experience, and steady leadership. Over the course of her tenure, she held several leadership positions, including Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and Principal Deputy Director of the CDC. Ileana brought a profound sense of purpose to every role she held, always focused on impact and the people CDC served. She was known as a principled and dedicated leader whose contributions left a lasting mark on the agency and the field of public health.

Ileana is survived by her husband, Steven Beach; her two sons, David Beach (Keri Lachman) and John Beach (Jenny); her sister, Isabel Arias; her niece, Amanda Sahu; her nephew, Andrew Mudd, and her grandson, Arthur Beach.

On August 16, 2025, at the Chapel of Lord and Stephens West, in Watkinsville, Georgia, the family will hold visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a reception immediately afterward.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the CDC foundation.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements. For more information, please visit www.lordandstephens.com.