A physician whose work has focused on addiction medicine, homelessness and expanding access to care is Worcester’s next medical director, city officials announced Friday.
Dr. Jennifer Bradford, a family physician affiliated with UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health, officially assumes the role May 18, succeeding Dr. Michael Hirsh, who retired at the end of 2025 after serving as the city’s medical director for 13 years.
The appointment comes at a time when Worcester, like many cities, continues grappling with overlapping public health challenges involving substance use, homelessness, behavioral health and access to medical care. Bradford has worked on these issues extensively through both clinical and community-based roles.
City Manager Eric Batista said that Bradford’s experience positions her to step into the role immediately.
“Dr. Bradford has firsthand experience with the most pressing public health issues in our community and will make a direct impact immediately,” Batista said in the announcement. “She is a passionate champion of health access and I look forward to working with her to improve the overall wellbeing of all in our community.”
The city’s medical director serves as a key public health advisor and works closely with Worcester’s Department of Health and Human Services on issues ranging from infectious disease response to emergency preparedness and community health initiatives.
According to the announcement, the position has now been moved from within the city’s Division of Public Health into the broader Health and Human Services administration structure in an effort to strengthen coordination across programs and services.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Seema Dixit said Bradford’s background aligns closely with many of Worcester’s current public health priorities.
“Dr. Bradford is very familiar with the Worcester community and has extensive experience in critical public health areas including substance use, homelessness, and infectious diseases,” Dixit said in the announcement. “She will be a great addition to our HHS team.”
Bradford currently serves as a physician consultant for the UMass Opioid and Chronic Pain Consultation Service and works with the UMass Road to Care Van, which provides outreach and medical support to vulnerable populations in the community. She is also an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UMass Chan Medical School.
Dr. Andrew Karson, chief physician executive for UMass Memorial Health, described Bradford’s appointment as a continuation of her longstanding work in Worcester.
“Dr. Bradford has dedicated her career to improving access to care and advancing the health and wellbeing of some of our community’s most vulnerable populations,” Karson said in the announcement. “Her deep clinical expertise, passion for public health and longstanding commitment to Worcester make her exceptionally well suited for this important role.”
Bradford earned her undergraduate degree in child development from Tufts University in 1998 before receiving her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2010. She later earned a master’s degree in public health from UMass Amherst in 2015.
In the announcement, Bradford said she hopes to continue the community-centered public health approach established under Hirsh, who became one of Worcester’s most visible public health voices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am excited to serve the people of Worcester and to support the health and wellbeing of our community,” Bradford said in the announcement. “I look forward to collaborating with our City Health and Human services teams, community organizations, and local partners to strengthen access to care and improve health outcomes for Worcester residents.”
“My predecessor, Dr. Hirsh, built a strong foundation of public health leadership and community engagement, and I am honored to continue building upon the important work,” she added.
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