Mary K. Wakefield

Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, FAAN, served as Acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 2015 to 2017, and Administrator of HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from 2009 to 2015. In both roles she sought to strengthen the health care workforce, build healthier communities, increase health equity, and improve access to care. Mary also worked in temporary appointments as Senior Counselor to the HHS Secretary and Senior Counselor to the CDC Director in the Biden Administration. Prior to these roles, Mary worked for two US Senators from North Dakota. Her academic experience includes serving as associate dean for rural health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, director of the Center for Health Policy, Research, and Ethics at George Mason University, and as a faculty leader at the University of North Dakota School of Nursing. A Macy Foundation Board Member since 2017, Mary has served on and/or led many public and nonprofit commissions, including the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s National Advisory Commission, and President Clinton’s Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry. She also served on the National Academy of Medicine committees responsible for the landmark reports To Err is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm, and she led the committees that produced Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality and Quality Through Collaboration: Health Care in Rural America. Mary also is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and, became one of five nurse leaders recognized as a Living Legend in 2019 by the American Academy of Nursing.