Vital Lessons: A Town Hall on Wellness, Public Health and Taking Care of Ourselves

Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH

Dr. Mandy Cohen is a Manatt Health national advisor with extensive government and health sector leadership experience. Dr. Cohen is lauded for her masterful leadership in times of crisis, her skillful executive management of large, complex organizations, and her strategic and authentic communication with the public. As a national advisor with a focus on state health transformation and use of data and technology to improve care, Dr. Cohen is an essential resource for clients navigating care delivery and payment innovations, integration of data systems and artificial intelligence, changes affecting Medicare and Medicaid, and those looking for guidance on public health strategy and communications.

Prior to joining Manatt, Dr. Cohen was the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she led the public health agency of 12,000 employees in protecting health and improving lives around the globe. Her tenure focused on embedding lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and investing in core public health capabilities, including the work force, laboratories, data systems and rapid response. Dr. Cohen also led the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for Governor Roy Cooper and transformed the North Carolina Medicaid program to managed care with a focus on value and “whole person health”, launching the country’s first statewide platform integrating social services with healthcare delivery. She has held notable leadership positions at CMS, including chief operating officer and chief of staff, and was also executive vice president at Aledade, supporting independent primary care practices, health centers and clinics to deliver better care to their patients and thrive in value-based care.