Danielle Thompson, MPP is a seasoned health policy analyst, program manager and government relations professional based in Boston, MA. Her mission is to improve health outcomes through the promotion of public policies that protect the rights of consumers, improve access to quality care, and emphasize wellness and prevention while also controlling costs. Danielle has over fifteen years of experience at the state and federal levels, working in a variety of non-profit, public sector and hospital-based settings. Danielle is knowledgeable about how the Affordable Care Act and Massachusetts payment and delivery system reform (Chapter 224) impact various stakeholders. Other areas of policy expertise include: cancer, mental health, women’s health, food and nutrition, wellness, complementary medicine and people with disabilities. Danielle’s research on wellness and cancer issues has been incorporated into recommendations to top state officials and used to inform policy decisions.
Danielle is currently a Senior Program Specialist for School Nutrition Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in Boston, MA. In this role, she provides federal regulatory oversight, policy guidance and technical assistance to State agencies for the National School Lunch Program and improves social determinants of health by ensuring low income children have access to healthy meals. Danielle previously completed a post-graduate fellowship in government relations at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where she staffed an executive level committee on the implementation of Chapter 224, managed the Institute’s Legislative Action Network and conducted research on policy issues that impact cancer patients and their families.
Before graduate school, Danielle spent three years working on employee wellness policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). Previously, Danielle was a researcher for a diversity study commissioned by Governor Deval Patrick and she worked in government relations in Washington, D.C. Danielle has completed seven high profile political internships including two in U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s HELP Committee Office. She has proven expertise in designing and implementing new programs including a wellness program for state employees and a financial assistance program for cancer patients.
Danielle holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree with a concentration in health policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hollins University with double minors in creative writing and psychology. Research from her Masters Capstone paper, “Strategies to Improve Access to Insurance Coverage of Acupuncture in Massachusetts” was extensively cited in an online journal article: HealthCare Medicine Institute. “Massachusetts Acupuncture Health Insurance Campaign.” Jan 19, 2013.
Danielle is active in the community. She is President Emeritus and Advisory Board Chair of Boston Young Healthcare Professionals (BYHP) and is a former Vice President of the Heller School Alumni Board. Danielle has also held volunteer leadership positions on several political campaigns.
When she is not working on health policy or volunteering, Danielle enjoys art, creative writing, yoga, cooking, entertaining, networking, mentoring, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.
For more information, please view Danielle’s LinkedIn profile.