Biography

Rita Landgraf is a nationally recognized leader in health and human services policy with more than 30 years of executive experience across government, healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors. Most notably, as Delaware's Secretary of Health and Social Services from 2009 to 2017, she led implementation of the Affordable Care Act, advanced Medicaid reform, expanded behavioral health and addiction services, and directed transformative initiatives for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those living with serious mental illness. Following her cabinet service, Landgraf joined the University of Delaware, where she served as founding director of the Partnership for Healthy Communities and helped advance the University’s accredited Master of Public Health program. She currently teaches and supports leadership development programs at the University and serves on the boards of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware and ChristianaCare, as well as the Delaware Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission. She is an invited member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and was elected to the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Epsilon Zeta Chapter, in recognition of her contributions to public health practice, leadership, and policy.  Throughout her career, Landgraf has been recognized for building cross-sector partnerships, advancing systems change, and creating sustainable solutions that improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Biography

• Doctor of Humane Letters, Goldey-Beacom College, 2013
• BS, Community & Family Services, University of Delaware, 1980

Research Interests

Health equity, Healthy communities, Disease disparities, Disabilities, Gun violence, Trauma, Aging, Collective impact, Private-public partnerships