Mary Pittman

Mary A. Pittman, DrPH, is chief executive officer and president of the Oakland-based Public Health Institute (PHI), one of the country’s largest and oldest non-profit public health organizations. At PHI and throughout her career, she has been a nationally recognized leader in improving community health safety net and Medicaid provision of care, addressing health inequities and promoting prevention and quality of care. Her significant experience in both public health and health care settings have made her an expert and adviser in the field of population health, and a leader in efforts to re-vision how diverse stakeholders can work together to build healthier people, stronger hospitals and public health systems, and more strategic investments in community health. Pittman has deep, varied and multi-sectoral experience in local public health, research, education and hospitals. Before joining PHI, Pittman headed the Health Research and Educational Trust, a Chicago-based affiliate of the American Hospital Association, from 1993 to 2007. Previously, she was president and CEO of the California Association of Public Hospitals and a director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Pittman has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and two books. Pittman also serves on numerous boards and committees, including the World Health Organization’s Health Worker Migration Global Policy Advisory Council and the National Patient Safety Foundation’s board of governors.