Emily Wang

The transition out of prison and back into the community can be a vulnerable time — especially for people with health conditions. Medical care often takes a back seat to finding housing and employment. Last year, physician and researcher Wang earned a prestigious MacArthur “genius” fellowship recognizing her dedicated efforts to address this dilemma. Back in 2006, she co-founded the first Transitions Clinic to provide primary health care for people who are reentering their communities after incarceration. Now a network of 48 clinics spread across 14 states and Puerto Rico, the centers also employ formerly incarcerated individuals as community health workers — a design that helps build patient trust.