Sara Wilensky, JD, PhD
Department of Health Policy and Management
Director of the Undergraduate Program in Public Health
The George Washington University
Dr. Wilensky focuses on financing, access and health care needs of the medically underserved, with an emphasis on issues relating to Medicaid. After completing her undergraduate work, Dr. 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.
Dr. Wilensky teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate public health programs and has co-authored a textbook, Essentials of Health Policy and Law, which is used at both levels study. Dr. Wilensky serves on two Department committees – Curriculum and Recruitment and Admissions -- and on the School's SPH Curriculum Committee, BSPH Curriculum Committee, and Undergraduate Planning and Practice Committee. She also participates in the GW committee for Undergraduate Deans.
As the Director of the Undergraduate Program in Public Health, Professor Wilensky oversees three undergraduate programs, a Public Health major, minor, and five year BS/MPH dual-degree program. GW is one of a growing number of schools that offers a full array of public health opportunities to our undergraduate students. In addition, Dr. Wilensky is the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education. In this role, she oversees programming and development for all of SPH's undergraduate offerings.
