Kathryn Gluesenkamp is from Wildwood, Missouri, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Health Science in Public Health from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 2023. Before joining Sanford, Kathryn worked as a Research Associate in the Health Care Programs Research department at NORC at the University of Chicago, supporting federal and state policy projects for clients including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Her work focused on Medicaid, particularly EPSDT and financial management reviews, with an emphasis on data analysis, program evaluation, and policy reporting.

Kathryn’s passion for health policy began with an early interest in infectious diseases and evolved into a broader commitment to addressing healthcare affordability, access, and equity through data-driven policymaking. Her experiences span the public and private sectors, including internships with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Elevance Health, and the Missouri Eliminate Tobacco Use Initiative.

At Sanford, Kathryn is excited to strengthen her quantitative skills, build lasting connections, engage with interdisciplinary research, and prepare for a career advancing fiscally responsible, equitable healthcare systems. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction and experimenting in the kitchen.