Theresa Azevedo-Rousso, MPA

Theresa Azevedo-Rousso is a nationally recognized leader in academic medicine and health care education, with over three decades of experience spanning graduate medical education (GME), nonprofit leadership, and institutional strategy. As the Regional Senior Director and Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for Kaiser Permanente Northern California, she oversees one of the largest GME infrastructures in the region, supporting over 1,800 residents and 800 medical students annually across 21 medical centers.

Ms. Azevedo-Rousso has led transformative initiatives in clinical learning environments, accreditation, faculty development, and health equity. She has developed and directed a GME budget exceeding $95 million, implemented innovative wellness and coaching programs, and spearheaded national efforts in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Her leadership has also extended globally through the development of Kaiser Permanente’s GME Global Health Program.

Prior to her current role, she served as President and founding Executive Director of two nonprofit research and education foundations. Her work has been published and presented nationally, including at the ACGME and AIAMC conferences, with a focus on inclusive learning environments, curriculum innovation, and healthcare disparities.

Ms. Azevedo-Rousso holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and has completed executive education at Harvard Macy Institute and MIT Sloan School of Management. She serves on the national board of the Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers and is an active member of several professional organizations including AAMC, ACHE, and AERA.

Current role, Specialty/Department, Practice Location

Senior Director & Designated Institutional Official, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Academic Appointments

Kaiser Permanente Institute for Medical Education

Education and Professional Summary

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

• Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers, National Board of Director
• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) (member)
• American Educational Research Association (AERA) (member)
• American Association of Medical Colleges, Group on Resident Affairs (AAMC/GRA) (member)

Areas of Interest

Ms. Azevedo-Rousso’s professional interests center on advancing graduate medical education (GME) through strategic leadership, innovation, and equity. She is deeply engaged in the development and oversight of clinical learning environments, with a focus on accreditation, simulation, and technology integration. Her work emphasizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), including the design of inclusive curricula and mentorship programs that support underrepresented groups in medicine. She is passionate about faculty and trainee development, having led long-standing coaching and wellness initiatives and created leadership and communication training programs. Her interests also extend to global health education, community-based health initiatives, and nonprofit leadership. A committed scholar, she contributes to educational research and curriculum innovation, with numerous national presentations and publications. Additionally, she is exploring the strategic application of artificial intelligence in medical education, informed by her executive training at MIT Sloan. Her work is grounded in building collaborative partnerships, advancing institutional effectiveness, and fostering environments where learners and educators thrive.