Well-known public health champion and tireless advocate for health equity, Dr. Thea James, MD, MPH, MBA partners with colleagues as well as local, state, and national organizations to foster a strategic ecosystem of equity and economic inclusion. As an emergency medicine physician, James embodies BMC’s mission to provide exceptional care to all. Additionally, as co-executive director of the Health Equity Accelerator, James leads the hospital’s efforts to interrogate and solve the most persistent health disparities in our society. Within this role, she also works outside of the hospital to build opportunities for job training, housing, and economic mobility in historically disinvested communities.

James’ authority in health equity and public health have won her many prestigious awards including the American College of Emergency Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award and the Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award. She has shared her expertise broadly, including on the Mayor’s Health Inequities Task Force for the City of Boston.