Biography

Elizabeth Roberts is the directer of the URI Academic Health Collaborative, leading its educational programs and initiatives, and working with faculty across all health programs to create an interdisciplinary vision for health at the University of Rhode Island.

Roberts is a veteran of health care policy, beginning as an M.B.A. student who simultaneously worked in clinical research, and continuing as a member of the professional staff at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island who designed new types of health coverage, and ultimately as a Rhode Island state legislator and Lieutenant Governor who focused on health coverage and public health throughout her tenure.

Additionally, Roberts has served as Secretary of the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services, an advisory board member for Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, a member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Review Committee, and as a consultant to clients seeking to improve public health care systems.

She has also recently worked with community groups in Massachusetts as they seek to drive change in the health of local residents, and partnered with the Milbank Memorial Fund and National Governor’s Association to strengthen capacity at the state level to improve state health care policy and programs.