Joseph L. Wright

Joseph L. Wright, MD, MPH, is the Chief Health Equity Officer at the University of Maryland Medical System and holds adjunct academic roles at George Washington University and the University of Maryland School of Public Health. He specializes in health policy, pediatric emergency medicine, and addressing health disparities. His career includes leadership positions such as Chair of Pediatrics at Howard University College of Medicine and roles in the Children’s National Health System.

Education: BA in Psychology from Wesleyan University (1979), MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (1983), and MPH in Administrative Medicine from George Washington University (1994). Completed pediatric residency and emergency medicine fellowship at Children’s National Health System.

Research focuses on injury prevention, prehospital pediatrics, and equity in underserved communities. Over 120 publications address topics like racial bias in medicine, pediatric emergency care readiness, and systemic disparities. Key contributions include leading the NIH-funded DC-Baltimore Research Center on Child Health Disparities.

Awards include the Shining Star Award for community service and Jim Seidel Distinguished Service Award for pediatric emergency medicine leadership. Active in national committees including the National Academy of Sciences study on pandemic impacts and the AAP Board’s Equity Committee.

Leadership roles span governance in the AAP, AAMC, and FDA Pediatric Advisory Committee. Advocacy efforts emphasize dismantling race-based medicine and promoting equitable healthcare policies. His work bridges academic, clinical, and policy domains to advance health equity nationwide.