Reflections on Leadership from Long-Serving Medicaid Directors

Running a state Medicaid program means steering policy, budgets, and teams that shape health care for millions of people in the United States. Yet, few directors remain at the helm of Medicaid programs long enough to witness — and drive — decades of change. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast features two of the nation’s longest tenured Medicaid directors, who share what drew them to their roles, how they approach leadership, and moments that defined their public-service careers:

• Stephanie Azar, JD, Alabama Medicaid director
• Judy Mohr Peterson, PhD, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), and Kate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, National Association of Medicaid Director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.