WASHINGTON (January 18, 2025) — The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health community mourns the passing of Professor Emerita Dr. Susan F. Wood, who passed on January 17, 2025.
Susan F. Wood was Professor Emerita of Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and was Director of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health from 2008 to 2022, where her research and public policy advocacy focused on women’s health and the use of scientific knowledge in public policy.
She was formerly Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health at the FDA, and directed the FDA Office of Women’s Health from 2000-2005 when she resigned on principle over continued delay of approval of emergency contraception over-the-counter. Prior to her time at FDA, Dr. Wood was Director of Policy and Program Development at the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.
From 1990-1995, Dr. Wood worked on Capitol Hill as professional staff for the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Initially as Science Advisor and later as Deputy Director to the Caucus, Dr. Wood helped develop and promote the Women’s Health Equity Act, and was directly involved with many policy initiatives and legislative proposals which would advance biomedical research, women’s health, family planning, and health care reform.
Dr. Wood joined the faculty of the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in 2006 as an associate research professor, moving to the tenure track as associate professor of Health Policy and Management in 2008, and becoming the Director of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health (a women’s research and educational organization that publishes the journal Women’s Health Issues). In 2009, Professor Wood’s primary appointment was in the Department of Health Policy and Management. Susan developed the Women’s Health course in 2010 and contributed to teaching many other courses.
She was formerly Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health at the FDA, and directed the FDA Office of Women’s Health from 2000-2005 when she resigned on principle over continued delay of approval of emergency contraception over-the-counter. Prior to her time at FDA, Dr. Wood was Director of Policy and Program Development at the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.
From 1990-1995, Dr. Wood worked on Capitol Hill as professional staff for the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Initially as Science Advisor and later as Deputy Director to the Caucus, Dr. Wood helped develop and promote the Women’s Health Equity Act, and was directly involved with many policy initiatives and legislative proposals which would advance biomedical research, women’s health, family planning, and health care reform.
Dr. Wood joined the faculty of the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in 2006 as an associate research professor, moving to the tenure track as associate professor of Health Policy and Management in 2008, and becoming the Director of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health (a women’s research and educational organization that publishes the journal Women’s Health Issues). In 2009, Professor Wood’s primary appointment was in the Department of Health Policy and Management. Susan developed the Women’s Health course in 2010 and contributed to teaching many other courses.
She was an excellent teacher, mentor and advisor. Her work focused on 1) Women’s Health across the lifespan, including Sex and Gender Differences, 2) Reproductive Health of Women, and 3) Science and Government, Reducing Conflicts of Interest. Her research utilized policy analysis, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods. She also served as PI for a substantial number of grants, from the DC Department of Health, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, and Human Health Services.
Through her scholarship, her teaching and her public advocacy, Susan had a tremendous influence on the science and policy underlying women's health, especially the accessibility of appropriate drugs and devices. Her work lives on through legislation, regulations, publications and the influence she had on the careers of hundreds of Milken Institute School of Public Health alumni.
-GW-