Sloan MHA Student Named Winston Health Policy Scholar

June 12, 2026

Kaitlyn Z Varriale ’25, MHA ’27, a second-year Master of Health Administration student in the Sloan Program in Health Administration at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, has been selected as a recipient of the Susan L. Winston Health Policy Scholarship, a national award recognizing graduate students committed to improving the U.S. healthcare system through leadership, academic achievement, and public service.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Susan L. Winston, a respected health policy leader known for her commitment to bipartisan collaboration and the public-private partnerships needed to strengthen healthcare delivery. Winston Scholars are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to improving the U.S. healthcare system, leadership potential, academic excellence, community involvement, and long-term interest in health policy, public health, healthcare administration, and related fields.

“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding health policy scholars to the Winston Health Policy Scholarship program,” said Jane Hyatt Thorpe, chair of the Board of Directors for the David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship. “Each of these individuals from excellent graduate programs will continue to make important contributions to the field of health policy. We look forward to working with them now and in the future.”

For Varriale, the scholarship recognizes a commitment to healthcare leadership that began with her own experiences as a patient. “Personally, this recognition is deeply meaningful because it reflects the experiences that first inspired me to pursue health policy and administration,” Varriale said. “Living with Type 1 diabetes has given me firsthand insight into the importance of accessible, patient-centered healthcare systems and motivated me to help improve those systems.”

“Through Cornell’s Brooks School and Sloan Program, I have had the opportunity to build a strong foundation in health policy and administration while serving in leadership roles and engaging in advocacy and research focused on improving healthcare access and outcomes,” she added.

Throughout her time at Cornell, Varriale has combined academic study with leadership, advocacy, research, and healthcare operations experience. Her work with organizations such as Breakthrough T1D, involvement in policy-focused initiatives and research, and strategic operations experience at Northwell Health have strengthened her understanding of how policy decisions affect patient care and health system performance.

“Kaitlyn has been a terrific health policy student as both a Brooks undergraduate [Health Care Policy] and now a Sloan student,” said Michael Richards, professor and director of the Sloan Program in Health Administration. “Her accomplishments inside and outside the classroom make her a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious award. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with her as one of our excellent Sloan student leaders, and most of all, I’m excited to see all of the positive impact that she will make on health policy and healthcare delivery in the years ahead.”

Varriale said the scholarship will support her continued development as a healthcare leader while helping her complete her graduate studies and connect with health policy leaders from across the country. “Being selected as a Winston Health Policy Scholar is an honor and encouragement as I continue pursuing a career focused on healthcare strategy, operations, and policy impact,” Varriale said. “This recognition reinforces my goal of serving as a healthcare leader who can unite policy and implementation to create meaningful, equitable change across our healthcare system.”

As part of the scholarship, Varriale will have the opportunity to participate in the Winston Health Policy Symposium, where scholars engage with leaders from across the healthcare and policy sectors. “I look forward to learning from experienced health policy leaders and engaging with a network of individuals committed to strengthening our healthcare system,” Varriale said. “I hope these experiences will continue to shape how I approach collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving throughout my career.”

Read the full press release to learn more about the Susan L. Winston Health Policy Scholarship.

The Sloan Program in Health Administration

For more than 70 years, Cornell’s Sloan Program in Health Administration has prepared graduate students for leadership roles across the healthcare industry through its two-year residential Master of Health Administration degree program. The program combines business and management training with a deep understanding of healthcare systems, public health, and health policy, equipping students to lead organizations with an emphasis on quality, access, efficiency, and innovation.

Students in the program develop expertise in finance, accounting, operations, marketing, and healthcare strategy while preparing for careers in hospitals, healthcare consulting, pharmaceutical companies, long-term care organizations, and government agencies. Sloan graduates are recognized for their adaptability, innovation, and leadership across a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.