Mary A. Pittman

Mary A. Pittman, DrPH, is the former 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. 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.

Under her leadership, PHI expanded their global portfolio, increased their policy and advocacy work, strengthened their research portfolio, launched a Population Health Innovation Lab and deepened its organizational focus on using a health equity lens to build power and engage communities in addressing disparities. During her tenure, PHI was recognized the three times it applied as one of the 50 best nonprofit places to work in the nation.

She is a member of the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030. She serves on the board of groups including Digital PATH Advisory Board, Vice Chair, UC Berkeley School of Public Health Dean’s Advisory, Loma Linda University, Institute for Health Policy and Leadership Advisory Council and Charles Drew University, College of Medicine, Dean’s Advisory Council, Healthcare Businesswomen’s’ Association (HBA) Advisory Board and the UC San Francisco Latinx Center of Excellence Internal/External Advisory Council. Before joining PHI, Pittman headed the Health Research and Educational Trust, an 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.