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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (April 12, 2025 - April 18, 2025) April 18, 2025 9 Dr. Meena Seshamani Takes Over As Maryland Health Secretary; First Indian American To Serve In The Role D r. Meena Seshamani, an Indian American physi- cian and former Deputy Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has officially assumed her role as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health. On April 9, 2025, shortly after taking office, Dr. Sesha- mani shared a message on social media, stating, “I am honored to start today as Secretary of the Maryland De- partment of Health – to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of all Marylanders through a thoughtful, data-driven approach in partnership with the MDH team and everyone in the health care ecosystem.” Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami told South Asian Herald, “Meena is the ideal choice for this new position in the state of Maryland. Indiaspora and the broader community are incredibly proud of her achievements,” noting her pivotal role in the historic transformation of Medicare. Maryland GovernorWes Moore initially announced Dr. Seshamani’s appointment on February 6, noting that her term would begin pending confirmation by the Maryland Senate. He noted that she would officially assume the position on April 8th. Two weeks ago, the Maryland Governor’s Office of Ap- pointments confirmed that Dr. Seshamani was progress- ing through the confirmation process. Joined by family members, supporters, and Acting Secretary Ryan Moran, she presented her vision for the Department before the Executive Nominations Committee. During her confirmation hearing, Dr. Seshamani high- lighted Maryland’s strategic health priorities, including Medicare and the All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. She emphasized her commitment to collaborating with stakeholders and legislators to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all Marylanders. “The Maryland Department of Health is one of the few state agencies that engages with Marylanders from the day they are born to the day that they die,” Dr. Seshamani shared during her confirmation. “We must make it clear to everyone, from healthcare organizations to members of the community, that the Maryland Department of Health is here to serve all Marylanders, fromWestern Maryland to the Eastern Shore. I will work to show every day that the government is a force of good, and I look forward to partnering with the General Assembly as we endeavor to improve the lives of all Marylanders.” In his February announcement, Governor Moore also confirmed the departure of Dr. Laura Herrera Scott as Secretary of Health, effective February 28th. During the transition, Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing Dr. Ryan B. Moran, Dr. P.H. served as acting secretary. Praising Dr. Seshamani’s credentials, Governor Moore stated, “Dr. Meena Seshamani is among the nation’s top health leaders – with an extraordinary career spanning expertise in public service, medical practice, econom- ics, academia, and advocacy. She has made our nation’s health care system fairer, more affordable, and more accessible to all — including our most vulnerable, from families in poverty to communities with disabilities. We thank her for raising her hand to serve in this new role,” said Governor Moore. He also commended Dr. Herrera Scott for her contributions over the past two years, ac- knowledging her dedication and service to the state. The Governor’s Office further described Dr. Seshamani as a strategic leader with a “deep understanding of health care policy and operations, combined with a heartfelt commitment,” to patient care. At CMS, Dr. Seshamani played a central role in launch- ing the historic Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program and spearheaded reforms to improve prescription drug coverage. She championed efforts to transformMedicare into a more holistic system – supporting individuals with disabilities through community-based services, caregiver training, care navigation, and primary care innovations. Prior to her time at CMS, the statement noted that Dr. Seshamani served as Vice President of Clinical Care Transformation at MedStar Health, where she led popula- tion health initiatives and advised the Maryland National Guard and Department of Health on the state’s COVID-19 response. She was also a key figure in the Total Cost of Care and care transformation steering committees under the Maryland All-Payer Model. Earlier in her career, Dr. Seshamani directed the Of- fice of Health Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she led Affordable Care Act implementation efforts – developing policy, regulations, and programs aimed at expanding access to care. A Marshall Scholar, Dr. Seshamani holds a Ph.D. in health economics from Oxford University and was a trained surgeon from Johns Hopkins. She has provided care as a head and neck surgeon at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. -(Used under special arrangementwith South Asian Herald) By T.Vishnudatta Jayaraman, South Asian Herald PHOTO:LinkenIn@MeenaSeshamani Dr. Meena Seshamani being sworn in by Maryland Governor Wes Moore in the presence of her children and Lt. Governor of Maryland, Aruna Miller. Edison PBA Endorses Mayor Sam Joshi For Re-Election In Historic Vote I n a powerful show of support for Mayor Sam Joshi’s leadership and public safety record, the Edison Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA Local #75) has officially endorsed the mayor for re-election —marking the union’s first public political endorsement in more than 15 years. The decision came during one of the most highly at- tended meetings in the association’s recent history, held on December 18, 2024. At the conclusion of the meet- ing, the members of the Edison PBA —who represent the sworn law enforcement officers of the Edison Police Department — voted overwhelmingly to support Mayor Joshi in his bid for a second term. The vote reflects a strong and unified message from the law enforcement community about the mayor’s commitment to public safety and the well-being of Edison residents. “The Edison PBA typically does not endorse candi- dates and did not take this decision lightly,” said Michael J. Piperato, President of NJSPBA Local #75. “It is my firm belief that Edison Township is a safer place thanks to Mayor Joshi’s initiatives and steadfast support for public safety. This endorsement comes after careful consid- eration of the Mayor’s performance and impact on our community and department.” Under Mayor Joshi’s leadership, the Edison Police Department has reached its highest staffing level in 18 years, a milestone that has significantly improved public safety and response times across the township. His ad- ministration has also added two new police substations to improve both accessibility and the efficiency of police services. In a proactive move to combat crime at the state level, Mayor Joshi was instrumental in advocating for a statewide crime bill aimed at tackling the rise in bur- glaries and home invasions — a legislative effort widely praised by law enforcement professionals. “Mayor Joshi has made public safety one of the top priorities of his administration,” said Piperato. “His pro- active stance on crime, his support for our officers, and his willingness to invest in public safety infrastructure are just a few of the reasons why we stand behind him.” In addition to the formal endorsement, the Edison PBA issued a heartfelt letter to township residents, urging them to support Mayor Joshi in the upcoming Demo- cratic Primary Election. The letter detailed the Mayor’s accomplishments and emphasized how his leadership has led to a safer, stronger Edison. It also acknowledged the rarity of the endorsement, underscoring the magni- tude of the union’s support. Residents are encouraged to consider the unique and deeply informed perspective of the Edison PBA, whose members witness firsthand the impact of municipal leadership on the ground. In backing Mayor Joshi, the PBA believes it is endorsing a leader who has not only shown unwavering support for law enforcement but also produced real, measurable results that have improved the quality of life in Edison. The endorsement represents a rare moment of unity between law enforcement leadership and local govern- ment and is expected to carry significant influence in the lead-up to the 2025 election. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:courtesy:Sam Joshi Mayor Sam Joshi with PBA Team.