Sarah Brokenleg
About Sarah Brokenleg
Sarah Brokenleg serves as the Acting Supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she has worked since 2015. She specializes in public health-based administration and advocacy, particularly focusing on tribal self-determination and health equity.
Work at Minnesota Department of Health
Sarah Brokenleg has been employed at the Minnesota Department of Health since 2015. She currently serves as the American Indian Community Specialist, a role she has held for nine years. In addition, she has been acting as the Acting Supervisor since 2021. Her work focuses on advocating for tribal self-determination and sovereignty, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of American Indian communities are integrated into public health initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Sarah Brokenleg holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from The University of Kansas, where she studied Social Welfare Administration, Advocacy, and Policy. She also earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the same institution. Earlier in her academic career, she obtained an Associate of Science (AS) degree with a Chemistry Emphasis from Haskell Indian Nations University. Her educational background supports her specialization in public health-based administration, advocacy, and policy, particularly concerning tribal and state entities.
Background
Sarah Brokenleg has a diverse background in public health and social work. She began her career as an Undergraduate Researcher at the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University from 2003 to 2008. She then transitioned to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she worked as a Research Associate and later as an MSW Intern at the Center for American Indian Community Health. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to health equity practices and cultural attunement.
Achievements
During her tenure at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine, Sarah Brokenleg served as the Project Coordinator for the Native American Scholars Program from 2010 to 2015. This role allowed her to contribute to the development of programs aimed at supporting Native American students in the medical field. Her ongoing work at the Minnesota Department of Health continues to reflect her dedication to improving health outcomes for American Indian communities.