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, Alabama Medicaid director
- Judy Mohr Peterson, 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 Directors (NAMD). 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.
Allow up to 20 seconds for audio playback to begin.
Featured in this episode:
![]() | Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president, Leadership and Capacity Building, CHCS | ![]() | Kate McEvoy, former Connecticut Medicaid director and executive director, NAMD |
![]() | Stephanie Azar, JD, Alabama Medicaid director | ![]() | Judy Mohr Peterson, PhD, Hawaii Medicaid director, former Oregon Medicaid director |
The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders and is developed in partnership by NAMD and CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Visit the series page for additional episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.