In April, Susan McGeehan, '05 Associate Principal at Health Management Associates in St. Paul, Minnesota, was recognized with an award for her exceptional leadership and innovation in the field of aging.

Throughout her career, Susan has led or advised on Medicaid managed care, long-term services and supports, and Medicaid/Medicare dual eligible programs. Currently, as a consultant, she guides state government, health care systems and providers to improve long-term services and support (LTSS) through strategic advising, program development, operational analysis, and integration of Medicaid, Medicare, and aging services.

Educational Journey and Miami Roots

Susan’s path began with a Bachelor of Social Work from Xavier University. Following her undergraduate education, she worked in a nursing home and later worked with Robert Logan, PhD, CEO of the Council on Aging Southwest, and Planning Manager Ken Wilson. Their endorsement of the Master’s in Gerontology Studies (MGS) program helped her decide to attend Miami.

Susan was drawn to Miami’s collaborative atmosphere and strong emphasis on applied research. She credits the program’s supportive faculty and peer community for shaping her approach to lifelong learning and leadership. The chance to study and work closely with professors matched “my learning style and contributed to my success in those early days. You knew the professors were invested in the students. It was a unique experience, its own little universe,” she recalls.

In particular, she remembers how Lisa Groger, PhD challenged her to think more critically in the theoretical space of gerontology in her classes and to look at aging on a macro level. She also appreciated the exposure to aging policy that Bobby Applebaum, PhD exposed her to, which greatly impacted her future success in applying policy to practice.  During the MGS program, Susan’s final research project focused on programs for dually eligible adults who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. She conducted an eight-state study, including the Minnesota program, noted for its early success in this policy space that was early in development.

Professional Impact and Leadership

After Miami, Susan moved to Minnesota (initially without a job), driven by her passion for policy and care coordination. Her early research on Minnesota’s unique Medicaid system set the stage for a career focused on improving long-term services and supports, Medicaid managed care, and health equity for older adults. Through her experience, she gained valuable insight into how laws and policies can impact the quality and focus of care for older adults.

What Susan Likes Most About her Work

Susan finds her work most rewarding because it enables her to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and within the broader landscape of aging. Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to positive change. Today, the diverse nature of her role as a consultant allows her to work across research, policy, and health reform efforts simultaneously. She particularly enjoys the dynamic environment, where she explores and helps shape how different states address various challenges and tailor their solutions—keeping her role both stimulating and impactful. 

Balancing research, policy, and practice is central to her approach. Her experiences working on her MGS helped round out her capability to operate with this approach.  By working at this intersection, she ensures that her contributions are rooted in both robust evidence and practical, real-world understanding, leading to more effective and informed policy decisions.

Susan also holds a deep appreciation for the legacy of the Scripps Gerontology Center. Its reputation for applied, hands-on work (not only academic theory) aligns with her personal philosophy. While others in gerontology may specialize narrowly, Scripps inspires and equips professionals like Susan to maintain a broad, versatile engagement with the aging field. 

Philosophy and Advice

Susan’s social work roots and commitment to health equity inform her leadership. She encourages those entering the field to recognize that the value of gerontology often goes unnoticed – and it is important to know how to describe clearly what our discipline has to offer. She advises new professionals, “People need gerontology, and they don’t even know it. Be prepared to explain the field of gerontology. Don’t limit yourself to what you see; you might need to make the case for why they need you.”

She also encourages students to maintain professional credentials and licenses, reflect on their strengths, and embrace opportunities beyond traditional roles. “Spend time understanding your strengths. Know what you are good at and what you like to do. Then build on that to develop your own leadership style.”

Susan’s work bridges direct service, policy, and research, always centering on the needs of older adults and their caregivers. Her leadership continues to influence Medicaid policy, home and community-based services (HCBS) innovation, and the next generation of gerontology professionals.

Previous Awardees