Georgia State Rep Scott Holcomb, MPH ‘24, named Milbank Fellow, credits online MPH program with achieving prestigious opportunity

scott holcomb speaking

August 27, 2024

University of Michigan School of Public Health alumnus and Georgia state representative Scott Holcomb has been selected as a 2024 Milbank Fellow. Holcomb, who earned his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Population and Health Sciences in 2024, credits his time at the University of Michigan and the online MPH program with helping him achieve this prestigious opportunity.

The Milbank Fellows Program (MFP) is a highly regarded leadership initiative designed for senior executive and legislative branch leaders at the state level who are committed to improving population health in their communities. As a Milbank Fellow, Holcomb joins a select group of leaders across the United States who will spend the next 10 months deepening their knowledge of evidence-based approaches to population health, expanding their leadership capacities, and forging connections with colleagues from diverse political backgrounds.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected as a Milbank Fellow,” Holcomb said. “This program makes it possible for state leaders to learn from each other and to exchange information about best practices to improve population health. There is much that I hope to learn, including lessons from other states on Medicaid expansion, which remains my top policy goal.”

In his role as a representative for the 81st District in the Georgia House of Representatives, Holcomb has focused his legislative efforts on justice reform and improving health outcomes. With his legal background and public health training, Holcomb is positioned to bring a unique perspective to the fellowship, particularly as he continues his work in crafting better health policies for his home state.

“My MPH experience at Michigan Public Health was pivotal to being selected for this opportunity,” Holcomb said. “It helped me clearly articulate my commitment to health equity and reducing disparities. I also noted that my state does not do enough in evaluating outcomes, and that must be a key component of our public health interventions.”

The Milbank Fellows Program is organized by the Milbank Memorial Fund, which has long supported state and county leaders dedicated to advancing health equity and effective health policies. 

“These leadership classes represent the best of health policy and population health leadership from across the country,” said Morgan McDonald, National Director of Population Health and Health Equity Leadership at the Fund, in an August 15 announcement of the MFP cohort. “They bring exceptional expertise from the executive and legislative branches of state government and across the political spectrum.”

Holcomb’s selection for this fellowship underscores the importance of expert state and local leadership in driving positive health outcomes. As part of the program, he and his cohort will engage in hands-on leadership training, share best practices from public health experts, and explore strategies to address critical population health issues.

As he embarks on this next chapter, Holcomb remains committed to leveraging his public health education and leadership training to serve his constituents and improve health outcomes in Georgia. 

Learn more about Holcomb on We Are Michigan Public Health.