Rachel Nuzum
Program Officer for State Innovations

Rachel Nuzum, program officer for State Innovations, is responsible for the development and management of the State Innovations program. She also plays a major role in the communication of its results and periodic reviews of its accomplishments and effectiveness. Additionally, Ms. Nuzum is involved in work related to the Commission on a High Performance Health System, including site visits and preparation of Commission background materials.

Before joining the Fund in January 2007, Ms. Nuzum was a legislative assistant for Senator Maria Cantwell (WA), serving as a policy advisor on health, retirement and tax issues. Her responsibilities included writing and analyzing legislation and advising the Senator on issues within her portfolio. Other responsibilities included conveying the Senator's position through opinion pieces, editorials, and articles for publication and representing the Senator at events and meetings with stakeholders. Prior to joining Senator Cantwell's office in 2005, she served as a David Winston Health Policy Fellow in Senator Jeff Bingaman's (NM) office. In this role, Ms. Nuzum staffed the Senator on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. She holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Colorado and an M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management from the University of South Florida.