Dr. Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD, is a distinguished physician, health economist, and policy expert currently serving as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health under Governor Wes Moore’s administration. In this role, she leads a department comprising approximately 9,000 employees and oversees a budget exceeding $20 billion, encompassing public health, Medicaid, behavioral health, and disability services across the state.

Prior to her current position, Dr. Seshamani was the Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There, she managed the Medicare program, which provides health coverage to over 64 million Americans. Her tenure was marked by significant initiatives, including the implementation of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program and reforms to the Physician Fee Schedule to support holistic care services.

Dr. Seshamani’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Brown University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a PhD in Health Economics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Marshall Scholar. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has practiced as a head and neck surgeon at institutions such as Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Her career also encompasses significant policy experience, including serving as Director of the Office of Health Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration, where she led the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Seshamani is recognized for her commitment to advancing health equity, expanding access to care, and promoting sustainable, patient-centered healthcare delivery systems.