Rachael Heitner, MPH

Rachael Heitner is the Director of Research and Insights at CAPC, overseeing several initiatives focused on a better understanding of the needs of the palliative care field. She designed and implemented CAPC’s Palliative Pulse survey – an annual survey of palliative care professionals, now in its third year. Ms. Heitner has contributed to several publications and presentations, including America’s Readiness to Meet the Needs of People with Serious Illness: the 2024 Serious Illness Scorecard. She also leads CAPC’s internal data collection and evaluation efforts to ensure the quality of educational content.

Prior to her work with CAPC, Ms. Heitner spent five years responsible for the smooth business operations of an inpatient palliative care team, providing her with a working knowledge of the importance of palliative care and its benefits for people living with serious illness.

Ms. Heitner received her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice and has been inducted into the Dartmouth chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. She also holds a Master’s degree in Literary & Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from New York University.