UMass Medical School’s Joyce A. Murphy, MPA, executive vice chancellor of the Commonwealth Medicine division, recently had the honor of being elected to the position of chair of the board of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Murphy has served on the Harvard Pilgrim board since 2009, and previously performed the duties of the vice chair. Since Murphy’s elevation, Michael J. Shea, CPA, retired executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Mac-Gray Corporation, has taken over the position of vice chair and works in tandem with Murphy.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is a not-for-profit health services company that has been working since 1969 to provide quality low cost health insurance to millions of citizens across New England. With the help of their subsidiaries they are also able to provide integrated care management, health coaching and plan administration solutions to self-funded employers nationwide. Harvard Pilgrim is known across the country for its commitment to customer service, progressive clinical programs and their innovative approach to consumer transparency that empowers patients to make better decisions about their health care.
Murphy, just like Harvard Pilgrim, has a long and storied history in the healthcare industry. Hers begins at the Carney Hospital in Dorchester, where she previously held the positions of president and chief executive officer. Murphy was also the founding president of St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children and vice president of St. Margaret’s Hospital for Women.
Harvard Pilgrim is excited to continue working with Murphy and many of the members of the board, including the CEO and president of Harvard Pilgrim, Eric H. Schultz, are optimistic about the future. After Murphy’s election, Schultz commented that Murphy’s “considerable business and health care knowledge is a valuable resource during this time of significant challenge and opportunity in the healthcare industry.”
Murphy serves on several other boards and commissions, including the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission Advisory Council and Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg’s Advisory Committee on Wage Equality. She is clerk of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare’s Board of Directors, and a member of the boards of Curry College and UHealthSolutions.
In 2017, Murphy was the recipient of UMass Medical School’s Trailblazing Women Award, which recognizes women who have played a major role in supporting aspiring women leaders at the medical school. Murphy was chosen by the Worcester Business Journal as one of six Outstanding Women in Business in November 2015. She received the Excellence in Health Care, Arts & Education Pinnacle Award from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in January 2015. Murphy was honored by The Boston Globe Magazine and The Commonwealth Institute in October 2014 when Commonwealth Medicine was listed number two on the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts. Also in October 2014, the Massachusetts Health Council presented Murphy with the Outstanding Leadership Award for her devotion to supporting healthy communities, families and individuals.