Judith Kurland knows that the key to ending ethnic and racial inequities in health care involves more than just increased access to quality care.  ABCD Health Services applauds her for broadening the public discussion of health disparities to include issues of poverty.

Judith has a long and illustrious career in public service and community health care. As Chief of Staff to Mayor Thomas Menino, she works to address the multitude of needs of Boston’s residents and communities.  Among several other prominent positions in her recent past, she was the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was the only woman to serve as commissioner of the Department of Health and Hospitals for Boston. She was also Vice President of New England Medical Center and Legislative Director for former U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neil.

Judith is a true leader in the field,” said Joan Whitaker, director of ABCD Health Services.  “Long before people were even talking about health disparities, Judith was championing the need for primary care and public health prevention programs.”  Judith presided over the creation of the “Healthy Communities Initiative” for the city, which serves as the basis for Boston’s public health network.  She worked with ABCD to encourage young women to get tested for pregnancy.  Judith is also a national expert in developing community collaborations on asthma, a major health concern for low-income urban families throughout the country. 

Says Judith of her work, “I love what I do because there is nothing that goes on in our society that you can’t relate to people’s health. You cannot talk about ending racial and ethnic disparities in health care without addressing these issues.  You have to talk about strengthening communities so that we can all help one another.”