Press Release  Governor Healey Appoints Dr. Kiame Mahaniah as Health and Human Services Secretary

Boston — Governor Maura Healey announced today that she is appointing Dr. Kiame Mahaniah as Secretary of Health and Human Services, effective Monday, July 14. Dr. Mahaniah has served as Undersecretary of Health for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) since April 2023 and is a practicing physician in the field of addiction and primary care. He was previously CEO of Lynn Community Health Center. Current Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh will stay on as a senior advisor to the Governor on health and human services matters, following her more than 40 years as a health care leader, including 13 years as CEO of Boston Medical Center.

“Dr Mahaniah has an outstanding record as a physician, a community leader, and a valued member of the EOHHS leadership team. As the Trump Administration undermines health care and food access for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents, Dr. Mahaniah will be committed to making high-quality health care more affordable and accessible for all of our residents, bringing an urgently needed focus on primary care and behavioral health care, and maintaining our nation-leading health and human services system in Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “I am incredibly grateful to Kate Walsh for her leadership of EOHHS. She has been the leader we needed to navigate some major challenges, including saving a safety net system of hospitals across eastern Massachusetts during the Steward Health Care bankruptcy last year. She has contributed so much, not just to our administration, but to health care in Massachusetts over the course of her career, and we appreciate that she will continue to offer us guidance during these challenging times.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with Secretary Walsh, who has laid such a strong foundation for our administration’s work to ensure access to high-quality care and services in communities across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We know Dr. Mahaniah will carry these commitments forward to make sure people in every community can live a happy and successful life in Massachusetts.”

"I'm grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Massachusetts as Secretary, and to Secretary Walsh for her leadership over the past few years," said Dr. Mahaniah. "This is certainly a challenging moment for health care and human services work, but our state has a head start – thanks to our world-leading resources, talent, providers and partners – to come together, solve problems, and work to make the right services and supports available to people who need them."

“It has been an honor to be part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and to represent the EOHHS team of over 23,000 people who work tirelessly every day to support residents of the Commonwealth,” said Secretary Walsh. “I will miss working with my colleagues in Governor Healey’s cabinet and across our agencies, providers and partners. Our team and the residents of Massachusetts are in great hands with Dr. Mahaniah, who has already been a highly capable and compassionate leader of some of our most important programs.” 

As Undersecretary of Health, Dr. Mahaniah co-chairs the administration’s Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM) initiative, co-chairs the Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force, and chairs the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) Advisory Council on behalf of Secretary Walsh. Dr. Mahaniah is a practicing physician in the field of addiction and primary care, who has continued to see patients while serving as Undersecretary and plans to continue to do so as Secretary. He was previously CEO of Lynn Community Health Center where he led the transition into value-based care. An avid teacher and committed mentor, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. He holds an MBA from UMass Amherst, a medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University, and a BA from Haverford College.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is the largest secretariat in Massachusetts government and works to improve health outcomes, build resilience, maximize independence, and contribute to improved quality of life for people in Massachusetts. One of the strongest health and human services operations in the country, EOHHS provides access to medical and behavioral health care, long-term services and supports, key nutritional and financial assistance, and more. Dr. Mahaniah will lead a team of more than 23,000 staff across 11 agencies and the MassHealth program who work daily to provide services and supports directly to nearly 1 in every 3 Massachusetts residents, and oversee public health efforts that impact every community in the state.

Under the leadership of Governor Healey and Secretary Walsh, Massachusetts has led the nation in many health care and human services measures including health care affordability and access, highest childhood vaccination rates, highest health insurance coverage, lowest infant mortality, and fewest premature avoidable deaths.

Statements of Support:

Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing: 
“I thank Secretary Walsh for her service both to the Commonwealth and her previous role leading a hospital system providing care to those most in need. I look forward to working with Secretary Mahaniah and I know that EOHHS will be in great hands under his leadership.” 

Representative Daniel Cahill (D-10th Essex):
“Dr. Mahaniah is the perfect choice to lead EOHHS as Secretary at this pivotal moment for the Commonwealth. With a background in running Lynn Community Health Center, where he kept me alive as a patient, no one knows better the challenges that our most vulnerable populations face in terms of health needs and the challenges our health care providers face in delivering services.  I commend Governor Healey on this excellent appointment and Dr. Mahaniah on this achievement.”

Steve Walsh, President and CEO, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA):
“Dr. Mahaniah is a smart, committed, mission-driven healthcare leader whose expertise and experience make him the ideal person to lead EOHHS. His compassion and care for people are especially critical at this moment when both our providers and patients are feeling the effects of a fragile healthcare system. MHA and our members are profoundly grateful to Secretary Walsh; our commonwealth was privileged to have her extraordinary leadership during a time of challenge and crisis. Governor Healey has made the perfect choice to build on that legacy and our state will be healthier for it.  We look forward to our continued collaboration with Dr. Mahaniah and the EOHHS team.”

Lora Pellegrini, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans:

"Secretary Walsh did a wonderful job navigating a myriad of complex issues during her tenure. When the Steward crisis occurred, she was the right person to handle a complex set of critical and difficult issues. With her deep understanding of the hospital industry, she was able to ensure that most Steward hospitals were transferred to new not for profit operators and remained open for patients. This was not the case in other states where many Steward hospitals closed. 

Incoming Secretary Kiame Mahaniah is a strong and compassionate leader. He brings a wealth of expertise and a firm commitment to community-based healthcare. We look forward to working with him on a variety of issues, including primary care reform and navigating federal changes that will impact the MassHealth program and the state’s Health Connector. "

Maura Sullivan, CEO, The Arc of Massachusetts:
“The Arc of Massachusetts extends our profound gratitude to Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. Her visionary leadership for the Commonwealth and for people with disabilities has been deeply appreciated, leaving lasting impact. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with Dr. Kiame Mahaniah as he steps into this vital role. In this time of significant change and pressing challenges, Massachusetts is truly fortunate to have such an experienced and thoughtful leader take the reins.”

Lydia Conley, President & CEO, Association for Behavioral Healthcare:
“We are grateful for the strong leadership of Secretary Kate Walsh, who has worked to ensure that the behavioral healthcare system is equipped with the resources to meet the surging demand for care from patients of all ages. We look forward to working with incoming Secretary Mahaniah, who brings his knowledge of complex health policy and forward-thinking expertise in integrating substance use disorder treatment into primary care. His experience as a health center practitioner will provide an added dimension to the task of maintaining healthy communities across the Commonwealth at a very challenging time.”

Dr. Michael Curry, Esq., President & CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers:
“The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League) applauds Governor Maura Healey’s appointment of Dr. Kiame Mahaniah as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth. Dr. Mahaniah brings the experience of caring for patients, training providers in residency and leading Lynn Community Health Center. He has a deep commitment to health equity and, as Undersecretary for Health, has led efforts to reduce health disparities for all citizens in Massachusetts. We are grateful for Dr. Mahaniah’s leadership in community health and look forward to partnering with EOHHS, under his leadership, to strengthen access to primary care and to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to high quality, affordable, equitable and patient-centered care. On behalf of our 50 health center members, the Mass League extends our deepest gratitude to Secretary Kate Walsh for her leadership as Secretary of Health and Human Services and her partnership in improving access and strengthening the health care system in Massachusetts.” 
 

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