Mary T. Bassett

Mary T. Bassett is an American public health advocate and physician. She is known for her work in addressing and advocating for health equity, particularly in the context of racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Bassett was born and raised in New York City. She completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where she developed an interest in public health. She went on to earn her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and later completed a master's degree in public health at the University of Washington.

Career[edit | edit source]

Bassett has held numerous positions in the field of public health. She served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from 2014 to 2018, where she implemented policies aimed at reducing health disparities. She is currently the Director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, and also serves as a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Advocacy[edit | edit source]

Throughout her career, Bassett has been a vocal advocate for health equity. She has written and spoken extensively on the subject, highlighting the need for policies that address social determinants of health and reduce disparities in health outcomes. She has also worked to address the impact of racism on health, and has called for greater recognition of this issue within the public health community.

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

Bassett has received numerous awards for her work in public health. In 2016, she was awarded the Frank A. Calderone Prize in Public Health, and in 2020, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare.

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Mary T. Bassett, American public health advocate and physician