Jean C. O’Connor, JD, MPH, DrPH, FACHE

Jean C. O’Connor has spent many years working at the intersection of law, policy, and public health. Managing Principal in the Atlanta Office for Health Management Associates, a leading independent, national research and consulting firm specializing in publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, financing, and evaluation, O’Connor was previously Principal Associate at Abt Associates. Jean is passionate about improving health outcomes through evidence-based interventions and policies and building the public health workforce. She previously served in senior and executive roles in state public health, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consulting, and in a federally qualified community health center. Her research and practice resulted in the adoption of state and federal public health laws and policies and strategic plans, and she also helped develop new programs and strategies related to chronic disease, alcohol, tobacco and other substance use, and emergency preparedness and response. She is an adjunct associate professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and a part-time associate professor in the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health. Jean earned a BS and joint JD and MPH degrees from Emory and a DrPH degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.