Dr. Judy Bigby is a physician, public health advocate, and policy maker who has dedicated her career to advancing health for vulnerable populations. Appointed by former Governor Deval Patrick, Dr. Bigby served as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2013. In her role, Dr. Bigby was responsible for implementing many aspects of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law.
Judy Bigby, M.D., a physician, public health advocate, and policy maker, dedicated her career to advancing health for the most vulnerable populations, especially women. Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick, she served as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from January 2007 through January 2013 and was responsible for implementing many aspects of the landmark Massachusetts health care reform law. Prior to her appointment as Secretary, she served as the Director of Community Health Programs and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Director of the Center of Excellence in Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School where she was also an Associate Professor of Medicine. She is the former Executive Director of South Africa Partners, a US-based organization providing technical assistance to South Africa governmental agencies, academics, and communities to improve primary care health systems and advance leadership skills among health care managers. As a Senior Fellow at Mathematica, she focused on improving the quality of health care in state Medicaid programs.
She is nationally known for expertise in primary care, women’s health, and equity in health care having served on many national committees. In 2011 she was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. She is the recipient of many awards for her community service, mentoring of students and physicians in training, and program innovation in primary care. In May 2023 she was recognized by the Massachusetts House of Representatives as one of 200 current and former Black women leaders.
Dr. Bigby graduated from Wellesley College and Harvard Medical School and holds honorary degrees from Lesley University, Pine Manor College, and New England School of Law. She serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, American Civil Liberties Union Massachusetts, and Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry.