Research Assistant
Jessica (Jess) Pentel is a research assistant at L&M Policy Research. Ms. Pentel has experience in qualitative research in public health and health policy. At L&M, she supports projects through environmental scans, cognitive interviews, focus group facilitation, and literature reviews.
Currently, she assists with consumer research for the Alzheimer’s Association to focus on underserved populations’ experiences in healthcare. Additionally, she aids work for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public comment review and for evaluation and improvement in pregnant women’s outcomes in Medicaid.
Prior to joining L&M, Ms. Pentel worked as a policy analyst intern for MassHealth, Massachusetts's Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and bolstered policy development for their Child, Youth, and Family Team. At MassHealth, she assisted in the analysis and implementation of programs related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Long-Term Services and Support (LTSS) for children with severe medical complexities.
Ms. Pentel holds a Bachelor of Arts, with highest distinction, in Public Policy & Leadership, and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in Global Studies with a concentration in Global Public Health from the University of Virginia.