LDI-Penn Medicine Research Laboratory

The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics created the Philly BENefits Partnership as a real-world research and policy laboratory built around a collaboration between Penn and the City of Philadelphia. The goal of the project, funded by a 2025 University of Pennsylvania Draw Down the Lightening grant, is to increase access to benefits for low-income and underserved communities and reduce poverty across Philadelphia. The initiative will test and refine enrollment strategies, expand benefits access, and leverage government data to better serve individuals and families. By combining interdisciplinary expertise from across Penn with data-driven solutions, this program strengthens Penn’s role as an engaged and committed community partner and a national leader in poverty reduction research.

Project Leads

Rachel M. Werner, MD, PhD

Former Executive Director, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
Robert D. Eilers Memorial – William Maul Measey Professor in Health Care Management and Economics, Wharton School
Professor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine

Julia Hinckley, JD

Director of Policy Strategy, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics

Team Members

Katie Milholin, Policy Project Manager, LDI
Dennis Culhane, PhD, Professor of Social Policy, SP2
Allison K. Hoffman, JD, Professor of Law, Carey Law
Vincent Reina, PhD, MBA, Professor of City and Regional Planning, Weitzman School of Design
Christina Roberto, PhD, Associate Professor of Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine
Aditi Vasan, MS, MSHP, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
James Moore, MA, Director, IDEA, City of Philadelphia
Casey Henderson, PhD, Director of Research, Analytics, and Evaluation, IDEA, City of Philadelphia
Beth McConnell, Deputy Director, CEO, City of Philadelphia
Mariele McGlazer, MPP, Policy Director, CEO, City of Philadelphia
Lydia Gottesfeld, JD, Managing Attorney, Community Legal Services