The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
Sarah Szanton is the fifth dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Dr. Szanton holds a joint appointment in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In 2022, Dr. Szanton launched the impactful Policy Honors Program to help students develop advocacy skills in influencing policies that improve health. She is also chartering the creation of an innovative policy institute to advance health policy leadership and research for global nurse leaders and scientists.
As an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Szanton helped shape the pioneering Pathway to PhD Nursing Scholars Program to accelerate diversity within PhD-prepared nurses, and she established the Term Professorship for Rising Faculty to fund distinguished faculty in their research and leadership. During her first year as Dean, Dr. Szanton was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine and named a Woman of Achievement by Business and Professional Women of Maryland. She is a Heinz Award winner for the Human Condition and a PBS Organization’s “Next Avenue Influencers in Aging.”
In her early career, Dr. Szanton provided house calls to homebound elderly patients with low incomes in West Baltimore. To address the environmental challenges that were often as pressing as their health challenges, she co-developed a program called CAPABLE — now active in 23 states — involving a nurse, an occupational therapist, and a handyworker to help older adults age in community. As a researcher, Dr. Szanton has published more than 200 papers and been Principal Investigator on more than $20 million in grants.
Dr. Szanton is core faculty at the Center on Aging and Health and Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions and adjunct faculty with the Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy.
June 2026