Seasoned leader tasked to lead the organization’s diversity and inclusion transformation

Worcester, Mass. – UMass Memorial Health Care, the third largest health care system in Massachusetts, announced today that it has hired Brian Gibbs, Ph.D., as Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, to lead the organization’s efforts in those areas. Dr. Gibbs brings significant experience in guiding similar initiatives for academic institutions including Oregon Health & Science University, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health and Florida A & M University.

“UMass Memorial is committed to transforming equity in patient care for our communities and improving inclusion for our caregivers,” said Eric W. Dickson, MD, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. “We believe Brian is the right leader to spearhead this transformation and position our organization to be the best place to give care for all caregivers and the best place to get care for every patient.”

Gibbs most recently led equity and inclusion efforts at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he was responsible for diversity initiatives within the university's clinical, educational, and research missions. He also served as an associate professor in the graduate-level community health program at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, a joint program between OHSU and Portland State University (PSU).

Prior to his position at OHSU, Brian was associate vice chancellor for diversity at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center where he was also an associate professor in the department of family and community medicine. Before that, he was associate dean for diversity and cultural competence and an assistant professor in the department of medicine at the Johns

Hopkins School of Medicine. Leading up to his time in Baltimore, Dr. Gibbs lived in Massachusetts where he was founder and director of the Program to Eliminate Health Disparities at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, serving as a senior research scientist in the department of health policy and management. He also co-founded Cherishing Our Hearts and Souls, a community-based coalition representing over 200 organizations in Roxbury, MA. 

“Along with a wealth of experience and insights Brian also possesses the emotional intelligence to truly listen to and understand the needs of our caregivers and patients,” said Douglas Brown, Chief Administrative Officer for UMass Memorial Health Care. “We are thrilled to have him in this role and in our organization, and we know he will make a profound impact on our caregivers, patients and communities.”

Dr. Gibbs received his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University, earned a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University where he was a Pew Health Policy Fellow. He also completed post-doctoral training at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

UMass Memorial Health Care

UMass Memorial Health Care is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Central Massachusetts with more than 14,000 employees and 1,700 physicians, many of whom are members of UMass Memorial Medical Group. Our member hospitals and entities include UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, UMass Memorial – Marlborough Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Memorial – Community Healthlink, our behavioral health agency. With our teaching and research partner, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, our extensive primary care network and our cancer, diabetes, heart and vascular, orthopedic and surgery programs, UMass Memorial delivers safe, high-quality and compassionate care. Visit www.umassmemorialhealthcare.org.

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