Dr. Maggie Ornstein, PhD, MPH, MA

Dr. Maggie Ornstein teaches environmental psychology, health advocacy, family caregiving, food studies and public health at Sarah Lawrence College. During 15 years in the non-profit sector and nearly 3 decades as a family caregiver and health care advocate, Dr. Ornstein’s experience encompasses individual and public policy advocacy related to the delivery of long-term services and supports and end-of-life care. She has expertise in family caregiving, long-term care systems, policy and service delivery, health equity and the social determinants of health and has served on advisory boards of the New York State Office For the Aging (NYSOFA) Family Caregiver Council, the New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition, the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative, and the American Association of Caregiving Youth. A public health geographer, her research focuses on the experiences of family caregivers, specifically related to their interactions with the formal health-care system through the utilization of home and community-based services. Special interests include brain injury and youth caregiving. She spends her free time organizing with the NY Caring Majority for a more just long-term care system in NYS.

She holds a doctorate from the Graduate Center, City University of New York and master’s degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University and Hunter College.

In addition, she has certificates or in-depth training in the following areas:
Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Contact Tracing Certification
Emerge America National Candidate Boot Camp
Design Psychology
Chair Yoga Certification
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
End of Life Doula Training
Home Funeral Training NYC
Master Composter Certification