Trudy Henson
Public Health Program Director
Phone: 410-591-9107
Email: thenson@umaryland.edu
Areas of Expertise: Strategic planning and partnerships | Public health preparedness | State and local emergency management | Legal and policy research
Certifications and Affiliations: Maryland State Bar, admitted December 2008
Education: J.D., 2008, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law | MA in English, 2002, University of Georgia | B.A. in English, 2000, Berry College
About Trudy
I originally went to law school with an interest in education and health policy, but everything changed when I took a class called Homeland Security and the Law of Counterterrorism. That course opened my eyes to the field of emergency management, which I hadn’t even considered before. It was the perfect blend of my passion for public health law and policy with tangible, real-world outcomes—like preparing for disasters, outbreaks, or pandemics. What keeps me engaged is how dynamic the field is; I’m constantly learning, adapting, and imagining new scenarios. At CHHS, one of the most impactful aspects of my work has been the educational component—whether I’m writing legal handbooks, teaching students, or facilitating workshops with local agencies. Even when I’m in the role of educator, I learn so much from those on the front lines of emergency preparedness and response. It’s incredibly rewarding to help others understand the laws and policies that shape their work and lives, and to see that knowledge leads to real improvements, like enabling alternate care sites or reducing vaccine hesitancy through better communication. But what I truly love most about working at CHHS is the people. In emergency management and public health preparedness, we’re constantly facing steep hills, and it makes all the difference to climb them alongside colleagues I trust, respect, and genuinely enjoy working with. They make the mountains feel scalable.
What motivates you?
Curiosity. I love diving into a new subject or area, asking questions, and discovering connections between seemingly disparate topics.
What's something most people don't know about you?
I’m an obsessive hawk-spotter, and I carry on conversations with neighborhood crows to try and befriend them. No luck on the latter. Yet.
What's a fun fact or hidden talent you have?
I embroider, which is remarkable mostly because it requires a level of patience and precision I never thought I’d possess.
