SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 28, 2022) – Gov. Spencer J. Cox announced the appointment of Jennifer Strohecker as the state’s new Medicaid Director. The appointment is subject to approval by the Utah Senate.
“I’m very pleased to have Jennifer take on this new role,” Gov. Cox said. “Her success in directing health care initiatives and fostering productive relationships with stakeholders will serve Utahns well. Among her many efforts, her work to help reduce use of prescription opioids by Medicaid members has been especially impactful. Her expertise with the Medicaid program will also be helpful as we establish the Utah Sustainable Health Collaborative that is focused on reducing health care costs and improving health outcomes for Utahns.”
Since 2018, Strohecker has been the director of the Bureau of Healthcare Policy and Authorization and the Medicaid pharmacy director, where she has developed and implemented medical and pharmacy policy. During COVID-19, she successfully pivoted service delivery for Medicaid recipients to a telehealth model, allowing high-risk individuals with autism, dialysis and other chronic conditions continued access to treatments.
Prior to her employment with the state, she was senior director of corporate pharmacy clinical operations for Molina Healthcare where she engaged stakeholders and led clinical initiatives to improve health care outcomes for Medicaid and Medicare patients. She has also been an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Roseman University College of Pharmacy, an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Intermountain Medical Center and a clinical pharmacist team lead at Primary Children’s Medical Center.
As someone committed to serving vulnerable populations, Strohecker participated in the opening of the Fourth Street Clinic pharmacy and serves on the board of directors of the Camotan Clinic in Camotan, Guatemala, which provides free medical and dental care.
Strohecker has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida. The mother of three children, she loves the outdoors and exploring the natural beauty of Utah with her family.
Download a copy of this press release here.
###