Krystal G. Garcia serves as the Director of Policy for the Boston Public Health Commission. Ms. Garcia is extremely passionate about advancing equity-centered policies, community-engaged research,healthcare, and social services quality improvement, and elevating the well-being of those who have disproportionately disparate health outcomes. Before joining the Boston Public Health Commission, Ms. Garcia led efforts to develop policies at the City level, to ensure equitable access to services and
supports. Most notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Garcia worked with community stakeholders to continuously evaluate citywide policies and practices to ensure the City did not further exacerbate disparities caused by racism, ageism, and ableism.
Prior to her tenure at the Mayor’s Office of Health and Human Services, Krystal was a health services consultant at John Snow, Inc. (JSI), where she led projects aimed at mitigating the risks and harms of problem gambling, substance use disorders, and infectious and chronic diseases. Ms. Garcia also brings rich experiences as a health services researcher and social services provider to community members throughout Boston. Krystal Garcia holds a bachelor’s in psychology and public policy from The City
College of New York and a master’s in health policy and management from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina.