HARTFORD, Conn. (August 20, 2019) – Geralynn McGee is joining the Connecticut Health Foundation as policy director, leading strategies for advocacy and policies that will help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities and improve the health of all Connecticut residents.
McGee joins the foundation after more than four years at Greater Hartford Legal Aid, where she most recently served as the organization’s policy advocate, representing the interests of low-income state residents to legislators, administrative agencies, and in community and advocacy coalitions. She helped to develop policy agendas for legal services, educated lawmakers about key issues related to health and family economic security, and analyzed the state budget’s impact on low-income residents.
McGee began her career at Greater Hartford Legal Aid as an oral health policy fellow, developing an expertise in oral health issues, health equity, and advocacy through a series of rotations with advocacy, government, and nonprofit organizations. The fellowship was supported by the Connecticut Health Foundation.
“We have worked closely with Geralynn for many years and are thrilled that she is joining our team,” said Patricia Baker, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “Geralynn will bring deep policy knowledge, legal and advocacy expertise, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to this important work.”
“Policy is a key tool for improving the health of Connecticut residents and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities,” McGee said. “I have seen the value of advocacy for underserved populations throughout my career, and I am excited to join the Connecticut Health Foundation in working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be healthy.”
McGee is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Before attending law school, McGee spent four years as assistant director at Resources for Human Development in North Carolina, providing clinical oversight to staff and working on the operation of five mental health residential programs. She also worked as a case manager for people involved in the justice system and served as an intake specialist for the Governor’s Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities in North Carolina.
For more information, please contact Arielle Levin Becker at 860-724-1580 x 16 or arielle@cthealth.org.