J. Zoe Beckerman

J. Zoe Beckerman is a Teaching Professor and Vice Chair for Academics in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University (GW). She has been affiliated with GW since 2000, progressing from a law student to roles on the Board of Trustees, Dean's Advisory Council, and eventually full-time faculty in 2017. Her academic focus is on pedagogy, particularly in diverse student populations, and she has received prestigious teaching awards including the 2023 Morton A. Bender Award (university-wide) and multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards from the public health school.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (2005) and Certificate in Health Law and Policy (2005), GW Law School
• Master of Public Health (1997), University of Michigan
• Bachelor of Arts (1993), University of Wisconsin

Research Interests: Beckerman specializes in health policy analysis, particularly Medicaid managed care, women's health access, and the intersection of health and early childhood education. Her work emphasizes federally funded programs' administration and policy impacts on underserved populations. She has co-led studies funded by the Commonwealth Fund analyzing Medicaid managed care's role in primary care transformation.

Professional Service: In addition to academic leadership, she serves on GW's Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association board. She also reviews articles for Women's Health Issues and advises non-profits on federal grant compliance.

Awards:

• 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award (GWSPH)
• 2023 Morton A. Bender Award (GW)
• 2023 Induction into GWSPH Master Teacher Academy

Teaching & Mentoring: She advises doctoral students and undergraduates, focusing on adaptive pedagogy. Courses taught include Health Policy, Community Health Needs Assessment, and Medicare/Medicaid Policy. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes student-centered learning across modalities (in-person/online).