Fellows

2023-2024

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  Tobi Amosun

  Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health

  Dr. Amosun oversees the offices and divisions of Family Health and Wellness, Minority Health and Disparities Elimination, Vital Records and Statistics, Population Health Assessment, Primary Prevention, and the State Chief Medical Examiner. She sits on several state and national boards to advocate for familie and address social determinants of health and their impact on the […] More
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  Danny Avula

  Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services

  Dr. Avula was appointed commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services in February 2022. He spent 2021 leading Virginia’s unprecedented COVID-19 vaccination effort, helping Virginia become one of the top 10 most–vaccinated states in the country. He previously served as the director of the Richmond City and Henrico County Health Departments.  Dr. Avula is […] More
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  Eric Barlow

  State Senator, Wyoming

  Representative Barlow was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 2013, and served as House Majority Floor Leader from 2019-2020. He served as the speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2021 and 2022 and now serves as State Senator representing District 23. He is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  More

• Corrin Buchanan

  Deputy Secretary for Policy and Strategic Planning, California Health & Human Services Agency

  Ms. Buchanan serves as the deputy secretary for policy and strategic planning at the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS). Prior to joining CalHHS, she served at the assistant director of housing and homelessness for the California Department of Social Services. Ms. Buchanan previously worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services […] More
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  Christopher Cogle

  Chief Medical Officer for Florida Medicaid, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration

  Dr. Cogle is a physician, professor, and chief medical officer at the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the lead health policy organization for the State of Florida. Dr. Cogle is also a grant-funded professor at the University of Florida, where he directs the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy in the Bob Graham Center for […] More
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  Matthew Donahue

  State Epidemiologist, Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

  Dr. Donahue is the state epidemiologist at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. He has supported and led responses to gastrointestinal, vector–borne, and respiratory disease outbreaks. Dr. Donahue has developed surveillance systems for novel health emergencies, and supported national, statewide, and local COVID-19, Monkeypox, and Ebola response efforts, as well as international disease […] More
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  Daniel Edney

  State Health Officer, Mississippi State Department of Health

  Dr. Edney became state health officer in August 2022, after serving as deputy state health officer and as chief medical officer for the agency. Before joining the Mississippi State Department of Health, Dr. Edney was in private practice in Vicksburg for more than 30 years. Dr. Edney is a Milbank Emerging Leaders Program graduate.  More
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  Steve Eliason

  State Representative, Utah

  Representative Eliason has served in the Utah House of Representatives since 2011. He represents House District 43, which includes parts of Sandy. Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, and White City. He has served as the chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and is currently the House co-chair of the Public Education Appropriations Committee.  More
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  Ann R. Gillespie

  State Senator, Illinois

  Senator Gillespie represents Illinois’ 27th district. Since joining the General Assembly in January 2019, she has championed reforms in health care, affordable housing, career and technical education, ethics, and property taxes. She serves as chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus, the Senate Appropriations Committee for Health and Human Services, and on the Medicaid Working Group. […] More
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  Theresa Hatathlie

  State Senator, Arizona

  Senator Hatathlie, who is a member of Bįįh Bitoodnii clan, represents District 6 in Arizona. She is a member of the Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Transportation and Technology Committees. She was formerly a logistics coordinator and legislative liaison with Yee Ha’ólníi Doo Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, the human resources director […] More
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  Paul Johnson

  Chief Medical Officer, Medicaid, Wyoming Department of Health

  Along with serving as chief medical officer for Wyoming Medicaid, Dr. Johnson maintains an active part-time medical practice as a physician and holds a clinical instructor position with the University of Washington Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Johnson plays key leadership roles in various medical organizations, including the Wyoming Medical Society, […] More
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  Robert Kruse

  State Medical Director, Iowa Department of Health & Human Services

  Dr. Kruse joined Iowa Health & Human Services (HHS) as the state medical director in 2022. Prior to joining HHS, Dr. Kruse served as the medical director of Occupational Health at MercyOne in Des Moines. Dr. Kruse is board certified in Family Medicine and completed his residency training program at Rutgers University. Dr. Kruse prioritizes […] More
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  Kiame Mahaniah

  Undersecretary of Health, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services

  Dr. Mahaniah’s portfolio includes MassHealth (Medicaid), Departments of Public Heath, and Mental Health, as well as several commissions (i.e., Behavioral Health) and quasi-governmental organizations such as Center for Health Information and Analysis and the Betsy Lehman Center.  More
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  Alice Mann

  State Senator, Minnesota

  Senator Mann represents Minnesota’s District 50 (Edina and Bloomington). Dr. Mann is an emergency room physician, former state representative, immigrant, and Latina, who focuses on community health to reduce racial, gender, and health disparities. She is the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.   More
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  Cristin McCarthy Vahey

  State Representative, Connecticut

  Representative McCarthy Vahey is a fifth-term legislator and social worker, who recently completed her first year serving as the co-chair of the Public Health Committee. She is also a member of the Transportation, Planning, and Development, and Government Administration and Elections committees. Locally, she serves as a leader of a prevention council, addressing youth substance […] More
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  Wayne McMahen

  State Representative, Louisiana

  Representative McMahen is a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, representing District 10. He assumed office in 2018, citing his concern for health care needs in rural Louisiana as the primary reason he chose to run for the legislature. Dr. McMahen is also a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  More
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  Ryan Moran

  Deputy Secretary, Healthcare Financing and Medicaid Director, Maryland Department of Health

  Mr. Moran is a key member of the Maryland Department of Health’s senior leadership team. He oversees the state’s commitment to its Medicaid program, serving more than 1.7 million Marylanders receiving critical acute, outpatient, and behavioral health services. Previously, Mr. Moran served as chief executive officer at Whitman-Walker Health System, a community-centered enterprise committed to […] More
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  Kimberly Moser

  State Representative, Kentucky

  Kim is passionate about health care and medical legislative issues and has been an effective leader on local, state and national levels. She was elected to the State Legislature in 2016 and serves the 64th House District in the Kentucky General Assembly. Kim chairs the Health Services Committee and serves on the Judiciary and Elections […] More
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  Ryan Schwarz

  Chief of Office of Payment and Care Delivery Innovation, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services

  Dr. Schwarz oversees Massachusetts’ Medicaid accountable care organization program and its 1115 demonstration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which includes new authorities to address health–related social needs and improve health equity. He previously served as the clinical lead for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Command Center. Prior to his time in state government, […] More
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  Laura Trolio

  Deputy Director, New York State Office of Public Health

  Ms. Trolio is a public health social worker with 20 years of experience serving, supervising, and managing in not-for-profit human service organizations and directing statewide public health programming. She is currently the director of the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, which works to bolster the public health workforce and infrastructure decimated by […] More
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  Daniel Walker

  Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Social Services and Innovation Lead, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

  In this role at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Mr. Walker leads project and change management work associated with initiatives coming through Governor John Carney’s Family Services Cabinet Council. These include the state’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program, strategic planning for unhoused Delawareans, and the service model reimagination initiative. He also […] More
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  Bo Watson

  State Senator, Tennessee

  Senator Watson was first elected as a state senator in 2006, having previously served as a state representative. He represents the 11th district, which encompasses part of Hamilton County. In 2017, he became chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. He is also a member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, Health and […] More
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  Lori Weaver

  Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services

  Commissioner Weaver has more than 25 years of experience working within state agencies and with external partners. She previously served as deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services and as associate commissioner of operations, overseeing all operational aspects of the state’s largest department.  More
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  Jeremy “JJ” Wilbur

  Senator, Swinomish Tribal Senate

  Senator Jeremy “JJ” Wilbur, is an elected tribal leader of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, located in Washington state. He is one of 11 members elected by the Swinomish people who serve five-year terms in the Swinomish Senate, the community’s official governing body. He works in collaboration with municipal, county, state, and federal officials to […] More

2022-2023

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  Ralph Alvarado

  State Senator, Kentucky (R)

  Senator Alvarado was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 2014 and is the first Hispanic member ever elected to the Kentucky General Assembly. He represents Kentucky’s 28th Senate district, which includes Fayette, Clark, and Montgomery counties. He serves as the chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and on the Medicare Oversight Committee, […] More
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  Jonette Arms

  Assistant Administrator, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

  Ms. Arms provides direct oversight of the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Bureau of Community Health Promotion, Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources, and the Office of Policy Practice and Alignment. In addition, she is responsible for directing, coordinating, planning, monitoring, and evaluating the operational activities of division of public health, which include financial […] More
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  Fred Baldwin

  State Senator, Wyoming (R)

  Senator Baldwin has served in the Wyoming State Senate since 2017, representing District 14. He chairs the Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee. He is a practicing physician assistant and volunteer firefighter. More
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  Heather Borski

  Assistant Deputy Director of Community Health and Well-Being, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

  Ms. Borski is currently overseeing the recent merger of Utah’s Departments of Health and Human Services and is positioning health equity as a driving force in the agency’s mission. She has worked for the Department of Health for more than 26 years and has held a variety of leadership positions within the organization. More
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  Brooke Cunningham

  Assistant Commissioner for Health Equity, Minnesota Department of Health

  Ms. Cunningham is the first-ever assistant commissioner for health equity, reporting directly to the commissioner of health. She oversees and is expanding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office, the Center for Health Equity, and the Office of American Indian Health. She aims to strengthen the agency’s ability to advance health equity across all department initiatives […] More
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  Jatin Dave

  Chief Medical Officer, MassHealth

  In dual medical leadership roles, Dr. Dave serves as the primary clinical liaison between MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid and CHIP) and Commonwealth Medicine, emphasizing the close working relationship between the organizations. As a chief medical officer, he provides medical, clinical, policy, and strategic oversight of all health care services for MassHealth members and represents the program […] More
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  Debra Farrington

  Deputy Secretary and Chief Health Equity Officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service

  In this newly created position, Ms. Farrington focuses on addressing health disparities and the health needs of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. More
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  Laura Fine

  State Senator, Illinois (D)

  Senator Fine is a state senator of the 9th district, which encompasses Chicago’s Northern suburbs. She serves as the chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and is a member of the Appropriation-Human Services, Environment and Conservation, Health Access and Availability, and Insurance committees. Prior to serving in the Senate, Senator Fine served as […] More
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  Sara Gelser Blouin

  State Senator, Oregon (D)

  Senator Gelser Blouin has served in the Oregon legislature since 2005 and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery. She entered public service through the disability community and is an advocate for full inclusion of people with disabilities in education, the workforce, housing, and community. In 2009, she was appointed […] More
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  Morissa Henn

  Associate Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

  Dr. Henn leads cross-cutting efforts across the state and department to integrate and improve services to help families and communities flourish. With direct oversight over three of the state’s most complex systems serving vulnerable individuals — child welfare (Division for Children, Youth and Families), public mental health and substance misuse (Division of Behavioral Health), and […] More
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  David Iseminger

  Director, Employees and Retirees Benefits Division, Washington State Health Care Authority

  Mr. Iseminger provides direction and support for long-term benefits strategy, benefit contracting efforts, and operations of Washington State’s Public Employees Benefits Board Program and School Employees Benefits Board Program. Together, the two programs have annual expenses of about $5 billion and cover over 700,000 Washingtonians who are employees and retirees (and their dependents) of school […] More
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  Monica Johnson

  Director, Division of Behavioral Health, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

  Ms. Johnson is responsible for leading a team of executive directors for the Offices of Adult Mental Health, Addictive Diseases, Children, Young Adults & Families, Deaf Services, Recovery, Prevention, Federal Grants and Culture Competency, and Statewide Field Operations & Crisis Coordination. She has over 25 years in the field and is a licensed professional counselor. More
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  Tonya Joiner

  Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health

  Ms. Joiner is the new Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the state’s largest agency with a budget of $14 billion. She most recently served as chief of staff and under her leadership, the department implemented the first-ever health equity plan to ensure the department’s services are equitably accessible to the residents of […] More
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  Mark Lawson

  State Representative Oklahoma (R)

  Representative Lawson has served in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives since 2016. Currently, he serves as chairman for the Appropriations and Budget subcommittee for Human Services, which oversees 10% of the entire state budget. Additionally, he serves on the full Appropriations and Budget Committee and the standing committees on Government Efficiency and Children, Youth […] More
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  Morgan Medlock

  Commissioner, Behavioral Health Administration, State of Colorado

  Appointed by Governor Jared Polis, Ms. Medlock serves as a new member of the governor’s cabinet. She is a board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist and is tasked with leading a holistic vision for the state’s behavioral health system. More
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  Breanca Merritt

  Chief Equity and ADA Officer, Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)

  Ms. Meritt is the first FSSA Chief Health Equity and ADA Officer. In her role, she directs the agency’s Office of Healthy Opportunities, which was established to address social drivers of health for the millions of individuals eligible for the agency’s services. She is charged with implementing strategies to integrate equitable processes into program and […] More
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  Cassandra Pasley

  Chief of Staff, Florida Department of Health

  Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, Ms. Pasley oversees the daily operations for the department in the overall planning, direction, administration, and evaluation by interacting and engaging closely with employees, governmental agencies, and the public to identify issues and provide valuable solutions. She is indirectly responsible for more than 13,000 employees in the department, which includes […] More
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  Mark Pearson

  State Representative, New Hampshire (R)

  In 2012, Representative Pearson was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he serves as the chair of the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee. Outside of the state legislature, he serves as the CEO of a wholistic medical center that brings together family practice medicine, counseling, massage, and patient and community […] More
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  Marcus Riccelli

  State Representative, Washington (D)

  Representative Riccelli was elected to the state legislature in 2012, and serves on the Health Care and Wellness Committee, which he vice-chaired for three years, as well as on the Capital Budget, Transportation, and Rules committees, and has served in the leadership role of Majority Whip since 2016. Outside his duties with the legislature, Marcus […] More
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  Dylan Roberts

  State Representative, Colorado (D)

  Representative Roberts represents District 26 in the Colorado House of Representatives, which encompasses Eagle and Routt Counties. Serving in this position since 2018, his work at the legislature has focused on lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs, protecting our environment and water, finding ways to lower the cost of living, and promoting […] More
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  Ed Stafman

  State Representative, Montana (D)

  Representative Stafman has served in the Montana House of Representatives since 2021 and is the chair of the Children, Families, Health & Human Services Interim Committee, where he is working to build a consensus to address Montana’s mental health crisis and to create greater access to, and better quality, mental health care for Montanans, especially […] More
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  Matt Yancey

  Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

  As a top advisor to Commissioner Marie Williams, Mr. Yancey provides vision and oversight to all Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services community-based programs, including prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support. More