Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt is a board-certified family physician who became the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health in Washington, DC in January 2015. In her role as Health Director, Dr. Nesbitt serves in key leadership roles on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser such as addressing critical public health issues including the impact of medical marijuana and decriminalization of marijuana possession on public health, the role of health in enhancing a city’s resilience, and innovation in healthcare delivery and its impact on high cost, high need and other special populations. Prior to her role in DC, Dr. Nesbitt served as the Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness where she led initiatives focused on Affordable Care Act implementation, health equity, and violence prevention.

In addition to her professional activities, Dr. Nesbitt is a published author and served as an executive editor of Population Health: Management, Policy, and Technology, First Edition. Dr. Nesbitt was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to a four year term as a member of Kentucky’s Early Childhood Advisory Council and now serves in a similar capacity on the District of Columbia’s State Early Childhood Development Coordinating Council. Dr. Nesbitt serves nationally as a member of the Commonwealth Fund Health Care Delivery System Reform Program National Advisory Group. She has previously held roles as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Health Industry Council and the National Children’s Study Central Region Community Engagement Advisory Committee.

Dr. Nesbitt received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan, her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, and a Master of Public Health in Health Care Management and Policy from the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed an internship in family medicine at the University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University and completed the remainder of her family medicine residency in the University of Maryland’s Department of Family Medicine where she served as chief resident. Dr. Nesbitt completed her fellowship training with the Commonwealth Fund Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy.

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