Rima Cohen is the Founder of Rima Cohen Strategies, and most recently, the managing director for the Health Innovators Fellowship at The Aspen Institute. Rima developed the Health Innovator Fellowship to connect, inspire, challenge, and strengthen the leadership of innovators across the US health care ecosystem to develop creative approaches to the nation’s health care challenges. Formerly, she served as a counselor for health policy to the secretary at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At HHS, Rima advised the secretary on a range of health care matters and helped to develop and lead administration initiatives related to programs administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and the Office for Civil Rights. Rima has also served as director of health and social services for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, senior health policy advisor for Senator Tom Daschle, and director of insurance options for the uninsured. Rima has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan, and a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University.
- Aspen Institute Health Innovator Program Executive Director
- 25+ years healthcare experience
- Former Counsellor for Health Policy for Sec. Sebelius at HHS
- Former Assistant Secretary for HHS Office of Civil Rights
- Previously Director of Health for NYC Mayor Bloomberg
- Fulbright Scholar, MPH from Princeton, B.A. University of Michigan
