Sara Wilensky, JD, MPPSara Wilensky is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Health Policy, Managing Director of the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy, and Director of the SPHHS Undergraduate Program. 
As both a teacher and a researcher, Professor Wilensky concentrates on the financing, access and health care needs of the medically underserved, including low-income and uninsured individuals, farmworkers and patients with HIV and AIDS. After completing her undergraduate work, Professor Wilensky served as a fellow at Plan de Salud del Valle Community Health Center, located in rural Colorado, gaining first-hand insights into the needs of these populations. Subsequently, she pursued a law degree, clerked for a federal judge and worked briefly at a law firm, before becoming a member of the GW health policy faculty in 2002. In addition to her responsibilities as a teacher, advisor and mentor, Professor Wilensky serves on two Department committees - for student and alumni affairs, and for recruitment and admissions -- and on the School's undergraduate curriculum sub-committee. Committed to improving the writing skills of both graduates and undergraduates, she is also actively involved in the Writing in the Disciplines program. Professor Wilensky is also Managing Director of the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy, established at the School in 2004 to foster the next generation of community health leaders through education, research and training in community practice and leadership. As part of that initiative, Professor Wilensky will be chronicling the history of the nation's community health centers. EducationBachelor of Arts (Women and Gender Studies; Political Science), Amherst College, 1993 TeachingPubH 191 - Introduction to Health Policy, Department of Health Policy ResearchProfessor Wilensky leads projects on safety net issues, focusing on the financing and access-to-care barriers faced by vulnerable and underserved populations. Topics of her recent research relate to various aspects of the Medicaid program, policy issues and research affecting community health centers, financing HIV primary care services and preventing and treating childhood obesity. DepartmentsInstitutes & CentersCommunity ActivitiesPublications |
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