JudyAnn Bigby, MD

Executive Director, South Africa Partners; Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Dr. Bigby is a nationally recognized health policy expert who brings over 30 years’ experience in health care delivery systems reforms, community health program implementation and evaluation, and strategies to achieve health equity in the United States. Judy assumed the role of Executive Director in June 2017. She has been involved with South Africa Partners as a member of the board of advisors and the board of directors for over 15 years. Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick, Judy served as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2012.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary, Judy served as the Director of Community Health Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, working with community-based organizations, providers, and public health departments. Her focus has been on improving population health and addressing disparities in health with a focus on low-income and minority women. In 2011, President Obama appointed her as one of the inaugural members of the advisory group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health of the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council. Judy holds a B.A. from Wellesley College and a M.D. from Harvard Medical School.