Em Balkan, MSW

Em is passionate about eradicating systemic injustice through policymaking. Em is a Doctoral Candidate at Brown University’s School of Public Health. Their research interests include the role and impacts of public health insurance and managed care for older adults and those with disabilities, healthcare for those who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD), health equity, social determinants of health, and community-based participatory research. 

Before pursuing their PhD, Em was a Senior Policy Analyst in New York City Council’s Legislative Division, and worked with the Council’s Committees on Health and Hospitals. In their role, Em assists with developing health policy to govern New York City, such as Int 0954-2018, a Local Law which created a third gender marker option on birth certificates for those who do not identify as female or male. Prior to joining the Council, Em was a Senior Policy & Client Services Associate at the Medicare Rights Center, where they advocated for older adults and people with disabilities, and specialized in assisting and advocating for those with long-term care health needs.

They received both their Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Masters in Social Work from New York University.