Abena Ohene-Ntow, MPH, is a senior program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she primarily supports CHCS projects related to leadership and capacity building, including leadership training and technical assistance for Medicaid staff, as well as partnering state agencies. She also works on maternal health projects, with a particular focus on equitable Medicaid doula coverage.

Prior to joining CHCS, Abena served as the director of student affairs and wellbeing at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine where she was responsible for managing policies and procedures, operations, personnel hiring, and student compliance for student affairs and well-being activities. She also worked at EmPoWER Somerset as the director of health and wellness leading the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s local Drug-Free Communities Support Program and New Jersey’s Coordinated School Health initiative. With both projects, she collaborated with community partners to prevent substance misuse and improve health and wellness among youth.

Abena holds a master’s degree in public health from Boston University School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in community health from George Mason University.

While not at work, Abena enjoys watching terrible reality TV show drama, loudly singing Beyoncé songs, organizing activities at her church, and pretending that she likes to go out for walks.