Mary E. Foley, ’94 M.P.H.

MAJOR: Health Science and Health Education
PROFESSIONAL: Health Policy Analyst, Executive Director, Medicaid|Medicare|CHIP Services Dental Association

When I was a young mother with five children, Worcester State provided the opportunity for me to further my education, maintain employment as a dental hygienist, and be attentive to my family. I met an array of students and faculty, young and old, who would ultimately change the trajectory of my professional pursuits. Because of a recommendation by one of my Worcester State professors, four years later I completed my graduate study, allowing me to shift my efforts from direct patient care to dental public health and health care policy. For over 50 years I have observed firsthand how inequities in access to health care, primarily oral health care, impact wellness and the success of individuals, groups, and communities. Working with the federal government, agencies across the fifty states, and private industry, I have witnessed progress in recent years, but we still have more work to do. I hope to broaden this public-private partnership so that more vulnerable Americans can achieve the health and wellness they are entitled to.

Making the world a better place is what I am most passionate about. That means bringing peace and joy into the lives of all people. In my professional world, this means giving voice to the underserved, the vulnerable, and the weak at heart. It also means identifying where progress may be needed, searching for solutions, holding myself and those in authority accountable, striving for equity, and demanding nothing short of excellence.