Katie Cavender, MBA

Assistant Director, Program in Global Primary Health Care

Katie Cavender is the Assistant Director of the Program in Global Primary Health Care (PGPHC) at the Harvard Medical School Office for Research Initiatives and Global Programs, where she leads the program’s administration, operations, and communications. She plays a key role in building and strengthening strategic partnerships that advance PGPHC’s mission. Katie also collaborates with the HealthTech Programs at the HMS Therapeutics Initiative to strengthen their marketing and communications efforts.

Before joining PGPHC, Katie served as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications at the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care. She designed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies for all of the Center’s programs, including the Office for Community Centered Medical Education. Katie also served as the managing editor of Perspectives in Primary Care, an online publication dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding access, and elevating voices through narrative medicine.

While at Lehigh Valley Health Network, Katie managed multi-channel marketing campaigns for service lines including weight management, robotic surgery, and rehabilitation services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed and executed communications strategies aimed at sharing accurate information, increasing vaccination rates, and reducing hospitalizations.

Katie’s early career spanned multiple industries, which helps her bring a unique approach to communications and strategy. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with a focus on broadcast journalism.