Sarah O’Donnell is the Team Lead for the Rural Strategic Initiatives Division in the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). As Team Lead, Sarah helps to oversee the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, which has provided more than $400 million in funding to over 1,500 counties, across 47 states and 2 territories, for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Prior to joining FORHP, she served as Public Health Analyst for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program within HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Sarah joined the Federal Government in 2012 as a Presidential Management Fellow. During her fellowship, she worked with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Health and Biodefense, and HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Sarah holds a Master of Public Health in global health, with a specialization in design, monitoring, and evaluation, from The George Washington University. She also holds a Master of Music in flute performance from Ohio University.
Outside of work, Sarah and her spouse, Joshua, are proud (and busy!) parents to two little girls, ages 4 and 7, and fur-kid Mousse. Sarah is also a triathlete; her last race was a 1.5 K swim, 25 mile bike ride, and 10 K run!