Jennifer Salach

I’m an MPH-trained professional focused on health policy analysis and research across academic, advocacy, government, and health care settings. My work centers on understanding how regulatory, legal, and administrative frameworks shape health outcomes, from evidence-based behavioral health guidance to Medicaid managed care execution.

Most recently, I served as a Public Health Analyst at SAMHSA’s National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory, where I planned and coordinated five expert stakeholder convenings, provided evidence-based feedback on regulatory proposals and federal publications, and ensured the quality of 10+ Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center publications through substantive editorial revisions. Earlier, I advanced project and data work in suicide prevention research while also stepping into governance-adjacent responsibilities as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and earning a promotion from GS-9 to GS-11 for performance contributions.

In parallel, I founded and lead Pastries & Policy, a monthly health policy discussion forum of 70+ professionals, and I continue to translate research into practical systems improvements—such as restructuring payer credentialing workflows and driving reductions in denied claims while supporting multi-payer prior authorization across 500+ behavioral health providers. I’m energized by work that connects high-quality research, stakeholder alignment, and real-world implementation.