NRC Spotlight Profile: Dr. Joneigh Khaldun

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun is now a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. This Taskforce is dedicated to addressing and rectifying the racial and ethnic health disparities made apparent by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dr. Khaldun is the chief medical executive and deputy director of the state health department of Michigan. In 2012, Dr. Khaldun served as a fellow in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Health Reform where she worked with senior Obama Administration officials in 2012 on implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Khaldun’s experience in both the medical and political spheres make her an exciting choice for the Taskforce as many of the health-initiatives will be influenced by legislation. In a statement about her joining the Taskforce, Dr Khaldun stated, “The virus has had a disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable communities, including communities of color. I look forward to making contributions as part of this task force that will ensure that future pandemic responses do not ignore or exacerbate health inequities.”