Katherine Bent

Kate Bent, RN, PhD is the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Data Policy. She leads an expert team of data scientists, economists, health services researchers, clinicians, and strategic planners who develop policy and conduct cross-cutting research related to public health, science, and data policy. Dr. Bent most recently served as primary point of contact and senior advisor to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration on all matters of policy, evidence, and research. She previously led SSA's independent federal statistical agency with responsibility for producing experimental and other foundational evidence about the societal, health, and economic impact of Social Security legislation, regulatory policy, and benefit programs. Prior to joining SSA, Dr. Bent served as Assistant Commissioner and principal executive for compliance policy in domestic and international field operations at the Food and Drug Administration. She has also managed national clinical and health services research programs for the National Institutes of Health and Department of Veterans Affairs; conducted clinical, public health, and health services research; and taught applied epidemiology, policy, and advanced practice nursing in the Graduate School at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Kate received a BA in French from Bryn Mawr College, BSN and MSN from the University of Virginia, and a PhD from the University of Colorado.