About Anita Gupta, DO, MPP, PharmD

 

Dr. Anita Gupta, DO, PharmD, MPP is a globally recognized physician-pharmacist, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, health policy expert, and clinical innovator whose work bridges medicine, public health, policy, and systems transformation. She is widely regarded as a pioneer in opioid crisis intervention, pain management, and equitable access to care, with over two decades of leadership in clinical practice, academic medicine, and health systems strategy.

Dr. Gupta currently serves as Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She also holds a faculty appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and University of California School of Medicine, where she contributes to clinical education, research, and multidisciplinary training. She has served as Chief Surgeon of Health Management in the City of New York, Senior Vice President in a public San Diego based biotech, and Vice Chair, Medical Director and Fellowship Director of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Regional Anesthesiology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. 

Dr. Gupta holds dual degrees in medicine and pharmacy, which uniquely position her to bridge clinical care, pharmacology, and health systems innovation. She has held leadership roles in both academic and public health settings, including serving as Senior Advisor at the Milken Institute Center for Public Health and Chief Surgeon for the City of New York, where she implemented initiatives addressing the opioid crisis, trauma-informed care, and city-wide clinical safety protocols

A physician-pharmacist by training, Dr. Gupta holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed her anesthesiology residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and a fellowship in interventional pain medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Rutgers University and a Master in Public Policy (MPP) with a health policy focus from Princeton University, and completed the General Management Program (GMP) at Harvard Business School.

Dr. Gupta’s clinical career is marked by pioneering efforts in pain management, anesthesiology, and response to the opioid epidemic. She was the first woman physician anesthesiologist appointed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to advocate for expanded access to the first opioid antidote, naloxone, at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), playing a critical role in national policy to reduce overdose deaths. Her expertise in synthetic opioids, drug safety, and early warning systems has been cited in major media and used to inform public health strategies.

Dr. Gupta’s impact extends to global health policy and innovation. She serves as a Member Expert of the World Economic Forum (WEF), a World Women Davos Agenda Delegate, and participates in the WEF Global Member Experts groups on biotechnology, pandemic preparedness, and the future of health. She has also advised the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Milken Institute, the Gates Foundation, the Department of Defense, and other leading institutions on health innovation and strategic policy.

Her contributions to teaching, mentorship, and compassionate clinical care were recognized with the 2025 Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award, one of the highest honors for clinicians who exemplify ethical, empathetic, and patient-centered practice. Dr. Gupta has authored and edited seminal textbooks on anesthesiology and pain medicine, including Pharmacology in Anesthesia Practice and 50 Studies Every Anesthesiologist Should Know, and Interventional Pain Medicine and Women's Health by Oxford University Press and is widely published in peer-reviewed journals.

Her thought leadership is featured in major outlets such as Forbes, New York Times, Washington Post, and medical press alike. A recipient of numerous honors—including National Academies Patient Advocacy Awards, Top 10 Women of Influence recognitions, and leadership awards from PharmaVoice and other industry bodies—Dr. Gupta exemplifies clinical excellence, strategic innovation, and a lifelong commitment to improving health outcomes globally.