Dr. Meena Seshamani, an Indian American physician and former Deputy Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has officially assumed her role as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health.
On April 9, 2025, shortly after taking office, Dr. Seshamani shared a message on social media, stating, “I am honored to start today as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health – to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of all Marylanders through a thoughtful, data-driven approach in partnership with the MDH team and everyone in the health care ecosystem.”
Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Aruna Miller, told South Asian Herald, “I’m honored to welcome Dr. Meena Seshamani as Maryland’s new Health Secretary. A brilliant leader and the first Indian American to serve in this role, she brings a wealth of experience as a physician, economist, and public health leader—and a clear vision for a healthier, more equitable future for every Marylander.”
Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami told South Asian Herald, “Meena is the ideal choice for this new position in the state of Maryland. Indiaspora and the broader community are incredibly proud of her achievements,” noting her pivotal role in the historic transformation of Medicare.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore initially announced Dr. Seshamani’s appointment on February 6, noting that her term would begin pending confirmation by the Maryland Senate. He noted that she would officially assume the position on April 8th.
Two weeks ago, the Maryland Governor’s Office of Appointments confirmed that Dr. Seshamani was progressing through the confirmation process. Joined by family members, supporters, and Acting Secretary Ryan Moran, she presented her vision for the Department before the Executive Nominations Committee.
During her confirmation hearing, Dr. Seshamani highlighted Maryland’s strategic health priorities, including Medicare and the All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. She emphasized her commitment to collaborating with stakeholders and legislators to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all Marylanders.
“The Maryland Department of Health is one of the few state agencies that engages with Marylanders from the day they are born to the day that they die,” Dr. Seshamani shared during her confirmation. “We must make it clear to everyone, from healthcare organizations to members of the community, that the Maryland Department of Health is here to serve all Marylanders, from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. I will work to show every day that the government is a force of good, and I look forward to partnering with the General Assembly as we endeavor to improve the lives of all Marylanders.”
In his February announcement, Governor Moore also confirmed the departure of Dr. Laura Herrera Scott as Secretary of Health, effective February 28th. During the transition, Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing Dr. Ryan B. Moran, Dr. P.H. served as acting secretary.
Praising Dr. Seshamani’s credentials, Governor Moore stated, “Dr. Meena Seshamani is among the nation’s top health leaders – with an extraordinary career spanning expertise in public service, medical practice, economics, academia, and advocacy. She has made our nation’s health care system fairer, more affordable, and more accessible to all — including our most vulnerable, from families in poverty to communities with disabilities. We thank her for raising her hand to serve in this new role,” said Governor Moore. He also commended Dr. Herrera Scott for her contributions over the past two years, acknowledging her dedication and service to the state.
The Governor’s Office further described Dr. Seshamani as a strategic leader with a “deep understanding of health care policy and operations, combined with a heartfelt commitment,” to patient care.
At CMS, Dr. Seshamani played a central role in launching the historic Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program and spearheaded reforms to improve prescription drug coverage. She championed efforts to transform Medicare into a more holistic system – supporting individuals with disabilities through community-based services, caregiver training, care navigation, and primary care innovations.
Prior to her time at CMS, the statement noted that Dr. Seshamani served as Vice President of Clinical Care Transformation at MedStar Health, where she led population health initiatives and advised the Maryland National Guard and Department of Health on the state’s COVID-19 response. She was also a key figure in the Total Cost of Care and care transformation steering committees under the Maryland All-Payer Model.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Seshamani directed the Office of Health Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she led Affordable Care Act implementation efforts – developing policy, regulations, and programs aimed at expanding access to care.
A Marshall Scholar, Dr. Seshamani holds a Ph.D. in health economics from Oxford University and was a trained surgeon from Johns Hopkins. She has provided care as a head and neck surgeon at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Kaiser Permanente.
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