It is revealed the former First Lady Jill Biden’s new job following her departure from the White House, staying active in public life and policy.
Last week, the Milken Institute announced that Biden will serve as chair of its newly launched Women’s Health Network, an initiative aimed at improving research, funding, and innovation in women’s health care.
The Milken Institute, a nonprofit think tank founded in the early 1990s by financier Michael Milken, stated the network is designed to “collate, elevate, and advance existing and new efforts” in the broader women’s health landscape.
The goal is to unite researchers, health care professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to address gaps in research and treatment related to women-specific health conditions.
“The Milken Institute is grateful for Dr. Biden’s leadership during her tenure in the White House and her steadfast commitment to championing investment in women’s health,” said Esther Krofah, Executive Vice President of Milken Institute Health. “We are so pleased she will join us as we launch and grow the Women’s Health Network.”
The Institute highlighted persistent underinvestment in diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women or impact them differently than men.
These include issues like endometriosis, menopause, reproductive health, and female-specific cancers. Krofah noted that significant progress can be made through collaborative partnerships across public and private sectors.
Jill Biden welcomed the opportunity to continue her advocacy, saying the new initiative builds on work she began as First Lady.
“From endometriosis to healthy aging, the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research made important investments in research and development, while making clear it will take collaboration across industries to bring these innovations to scale,” Biden said.
“I am honored to join the Milken Institute as we unite leaders around a shared mission: for women everywhere to benefit from the lifesaving, world-changing research we know is possible.”
While in the White House, Biden was notable for maintaining her professional role as a community college professor. She taught English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College until resigning in December 2024.
The Milken Institute claims to be non-partisan, focusing on “financial, physical, mental, and environmental health,” and aims to accelerate solutions for global challenges through collaboration and strategic investments.
However, some critics argue the organization leans toward progressive policies, including larger government programs and increased regulation.
Outlets like The Daily Caller have pointed to the Institute’s support for consumption taxes and centralized planning as examples of its ideological slant.
The organization’s founder, Michael Milken, has a controversial history. A prominent Wall Street figure in the 1980s, Milken pleaded guilty to securities fraud in 1990 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he served 22 months. He was granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump in 2020.
Despite that legacy, the Milken Institute remains influential in the nonprofit and policy sectors. With Jill Biden’s involvement, the new Women’s Health Network is likely to draw national attention as it attempts to reshape how health issues affecting women are addressed in the United States.