Elena M. Marks

Elena M. Marks is the Baker Institute Scholar in Health Policy. She is an attorney and currently works as a consultant to the health care industry. From 2004 through 2009, Marks served as the director of health and environmental policy for the City of Houston. Her responsibilities included oversight of the city’s Health and Human Services Department and the Office of Environmental Programming. Her work focused on access to health care for low-income and uninsured Houstonians, as well as the reduction of industrial toxic air pollution. Prior to joining the mayor’s staff, Marks practiced trial and appellate law with major law firms; started and directed a successful legal placement business; and developed strategic, long range and operating plans for service lines and system centers at St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System. Marks holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University, a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law and a Master of Public Health from The University of Texas School of Public Health.