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Date: Thursday, April 3, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Campbell Gardett (202) 690-6343

In her new position, Kurland will be the secretary's direct representative for the six states in Region I and responsible for guidance and coordination of HHS policies in the region. It covers the states of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Massachusetts.

"Judith Kurland brings an extensive, working-level knowledge of our department's most important issues, and a knowledge of the people and institutions in Region I," said Secretary Shalala. "She will be an especially valuable member of the HHS team."

"Kurland comes to the position from serving as the senior policy advisor and associate for health care at McDermott/O'Neill & Associates in Boston, where she provided counsel, direction, and strategic advice to public and private clients on healthcare issues.

Prior to joining McDermott/O'Neill, Kurland was the first female commissioner of the Boston Department of Health and Hospitals from 1988 to 1993. As commissioner, Kurland directed two public hospitals, and was responsible for overseeing the city's public and acute care health delivery systems, public health policy and planning. She managed a department of 3,700 employees with an average annual budget of $180 million.

While commissioner, Kurland was the principal architect of Healthy Boston, a city-wide initiative that sought to improve the health of the city, its neighborhoods and its people by recognizing the power of communities and residents to rebuild their neighborhoods through a multi-sectorial partnership for change. Healthy Boston coordinated education, economic development, housing, recreation, public safety, and human services, with health care programs at the community level.

Before becoming commissioner, Kurland was vice president of strategic planning at the New England Medical Center from 1983 to 1988. She developed and served as a founding board member of the Neighborhood Health Plan. She was also director of federal-state relations and chief of staff in the Lieutenant Governor's office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1975 to 1983.

A graduate of Mount Holyoke College with an A.B. in political science, Kurland has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is a faculty member of the Harvard School of Public Health, Simmons College and the Medical Schools of Boston and Tufts Universities. She serves on a number of public and private boards of directors, commissions, national and international health organizations, and has initiated a number of multi-city and multi-national programs.

Kurland began her public career in 1967 as legislative director for the late Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives. She later served as chief of staff for former Congressman Michael J. Harrington of Mass. in 1973.

Born in New York City, Kurland received Distinguished Service Awards from the Massachusetts Pediatric AIDS Society and the National Society to Prevent Blindness.

Kurland, a widow, has three children, Zvi, Mali and Zipora.