Sarah Curi

Visiting Lecturer in Political Science

I am delighted to return to Wellesley. I am an Associate Professor of the Practice at Brandeis University. I’ve taught at Brandeis since 2007. In addition, I am a practicing health care attorney. I have been practicing law for over 25 years. I've worked for several hospitals, health care providers, and academic research and development organizations. I work “in-house” – meaning that my only client is the corporation that I work for. I don’t ever go to court. Instead, I’m essentially business lawyer with a specialty in health care. Most recently, I worked for a Google subsidiary. My expertise includes regulatory compliance, risk management, ethics, and patient rights.

I am passionate about teaching. I strive to create an educational experience that will enable students to become active participants for change and social justice in their chosen careers, including law, health care, public policy, etc. I design my courses to inform and inspire as well as to provide practical skills at the intersection of law, medicine, public health, policy change, and business.

I am a very proud graduate of Wellesley College ‘90 (I double majored in History and Psychology), Boston College Law School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. During college, I rowed port on the Varsity Crew. Prior to law school, I worked for 2 years, first as a paralegal and then with health care policy researchers.

At Brandeis, I currently teach seminars on American Health Care: Law & Policy and Special Topics in Public Health: U.S. History & Policy. I have also taught Patient Autonomy: Law, Medicine & Ethics. I also serve on the Faculty Senate, as the Undergraduate Advising Head (UAH) and Study Abroad Liaison (SAL) for the Health: Science, Society & Policy (HSSP) program. I mentor for the Gen One Scholars Program and participate in the Posse Plus Retreat. I have also taught Business Law at Babson College and Health Care Ethics to undergraduate and graduate students at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (now MCPHS).

I have presented at national conferences, including the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics' Health Law Professors Conference, American Health Lawyers Association conferences, Health Care Compliance Association conferences, and the American Public Health Association conferences.

I was born in California, raised in rural Connecticut, and now live in Watertown, MA. I am actively involved in the Wellesley Alumnae community. For example, I founded the Wellesley Lawyers Network in 1997. I enjoy in-line skating, mentoring, and exploring with my husband and our four lively rescued dogs – Cora, Hali, Anni, and Reese.

Current and upcoming courses

  • Examine the complex web of public health, politics, and social movements that has shaped American health outcomes. Explore the evolution of public health interventions, from groundbreaking disease control initiatives to transformative social justice movements. Analyze the political dynamics shaping public health policy, including the influence of power structures, interest groups, and public opinion. Critically assess the effectiveness of various public health policies in the face of changing times. Gain insights into the complexities of promoting population health and well-being amidst environmental hazards, infectious diseases, and health disparities. This course is designed for a broad range of majors/minors, including those interested in politics, policy making, social change, public health, and medicine.