Danielle Turnipseed PPS’97: Sanford Provided a Path to Health Policy Leadership

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For many leaders in public policy, passing through the halls of Sanford means learning from great teachers and discussing big ideas (and big solutions) as they move on to leadership roles throughout the world. For Danielle Turnipseed, it just meant literally passing through. Coming to Duke as pre-med, the Sanford building was a quick walkway to those requisite courses. But it didn’t take long for the policy bug to catch on. The shortcut has been the path to a long career, this time in public policy.

Years later, as a proud alum of Sanford, Turnipseed is the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Chief Public Policy Officer. The impact of Sanford on Danielle’s career has been profound, serving as fertile ground for her passion for health policy. Her experiences at Sanford, from honing her skills in public policy analysis to crafting practical solutions, have been instrumental in driving her career forward and addressing critical health issues.

At AAMC, Turnipseed leads public policy initiatives that influence nationwide medical education, research, and patient care. She excels in managing intricate programs and budgets, ensuring compliance with federal standards while driving impactful policy changes. Her deep understanding of healthcare compliance and understanding of big problem-solving solving highlight her dedication to creating meaningful change in healthcare.

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Turnipseed’s career is marked by her ability to navigate the intricacies of the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. She has authored comment letters, prepared and reviewed testimony, and served as a trusted advisor to senior executives and U.S. Senators. Her proven track record of engaging large, multi-stakeholder groups and diverse communities in health outreach programs, coalitions, and campaigns highlights her career impact. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is dedicated to mentoring and advising, helping to cultivate the next generation of healthcare leaders. Her strategic vision and collaborative leadership style have made her an invaluable asset to the AAMC and the broader healthcare community, reassuring others of her ability to drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Turnipseed chatted with us about how Sanford shaped her life at Duke and beyond.

What impact has Sanford had on your professional and/or personal journey?   

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I simply cannot overstate just how impactful Sanford has been to me, both professionally and personally. For starters, the Sanford building was a convenient pass-through building and area on the way to "Science Drive" when I was considering becoming a doctor, but quickly, it drew me in for all that it had to offer. The introduction to public policy analysis and how to approach issues, structure a memo, work with integrated teams, and be pushed by insightful faculty to consider the merits and costs of proposals was nothing short of exciting.

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Recalling my fundamental classes at Sanford, I learned from my classmates and for myself. My center gravitated towards health policy, and Sanford created a viable and comfortable space to imagine how the world could be and how to deliver on its promise. Another great aspect of Sanford that I recognized then and have leveraged ever since was the Sanford network—the faculty, the alumni, the speakers - simply unmatched. We were taught by the titans like Bruce Payne and led to leadership by Tony Brown. I saw real women in corporate and policy positions, like Susan King, who helped me get an internship at Coca-Cola. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that the Duke University Sanford Institute was the foundation for my policy career, and I have continued to develop professionally ever since. On a personal note, I have supported and been supported by Sanford classmates and alumni. I appreciate our bond!

Why does public policy matter in 2024 and beyond?

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Everywhere you turn, there are important issues facing our world on the global and local levels. Policy impacts not only how people earn (economic policy, wages, commerce) and learn (education policy, funding, book bans, curriculum) but also how they can live in community with each other. The COVID-19 pandemic is just one example of policies put in place to address a problem with a community or global impact, as well as significant concerns and pushback on some aspects along with positive uptakes. We need policies that consider the threat of a circumstance and also how a proposed policy may affect everyone, from children to the aged, lower-income individuals, non-English speakers, and more. We will only continue to have more situations that require astute public policy - not just a public platform - to make sure under-resourced or under-represented communities are not disadvantaged along the way.  

What is the most interesting highlight so far in your career?

This might be the most challenging part, narrowing down just one highlight from my career. That is because I have been tremendously blessed and afforded opportunities where I have had to step up and meet the challenges presented. One of the most memorable career highlights stemmed from working on Duke alumna Elizabeth Dole's Senate campaign and joining her office as Health Legislative Assistant when she was elected. This opportunity - to handle health policy for the first woman Senator from North Carolina and a Republican - put my ability to analyze and present policy solutions to the test. It was an incredible introduction to the world I am in (health policy, advocacy, lobbying) and I am grateful for that springboard that launched me to Washington, DC.

Terry Sanford implored students to 'stand for something.'  What do you stand for?  

Lawyers learn early about being a zealous advocate for their clients. I am an attorney, and I bring zeal into most things I do. So, if I had to tell Terry Sanford what I stand for, I am committed to the empowerment of future generations through educational opportunities. I take education very seriously. Education has provided so many ways for communities to advance, and I am particularly mindful of the Black American experience related to public schools, HBCUs, technical careers and training, and even challenges by state legislatures, Governors, and the highest court related to education. My commitment to education and opportunity is a perfect fit for where I am today as Chief Public Policy Officer at the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges).

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I want the truth to be told about the incredible potential and achievements of today's medical students - they give me hope and assurance that our health system will be fortified in the future. I also want to push back on the false narrative that diversity is tied to lower quality or lower performance. Too many instances through history (including parts of history that some would want to silence, ban, or erase) illustrate academic success through adversity for the benefit of humanity. 

What seeds of change are you planting in your community?

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I love the questions about planting seeds posed to a Turnipseed! This is an easy one. I am mentoring and growing people along the way, pouring into their success, watering them where they are planted, and helping them bloom. I am intentional about making time for people who want to understand my pathway to my current success or look to advance or better themself. I make the time to mentor. I challenge people to dream big and to work towards their goals. This may mean exploring a law firm job versus a non-profit position for an aspiring attorney, planning how to handle a failed bar exam, connecting Black women who want to go to law school and laying out pros and cons, or helping a person weigh whether to stay in a workplace that has turned uncomfortable. The bottom line is that I make time to help people be successful. Mentorship and now sponsorship have been so crucial to my success, and my ancestors and family would expect nothing less than for me to pay it back in any way I can.