Linda Tolbert, MD, JD, EdD, MPH
Linda Tolbert, MD, JD, EdD, MPH, is chief executive officer and executive medical director of the Washington Permanente Medical Group, one of the state’s largest multispecialty practices.
Dr. Tolbert leads WPMG’s more than 1,071 physicians to deliver high-quality care for 586,977 members in Washington state.
Dr. Tolbert joined WPMG in 2023. Previously a practicing dermatologist, she served as regional chief of dermatology at Southern California Permanente Medical Group after having led dermatology in both San Bernadino and Los Angeles. She also held the post of assistant area medical director and served 2 terms on the SCMPG board of directors.
Prior to coming to WPMG, Dr. Tolbert held several leadership and faculty positions at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, including inaugural chair of the Faculty Advisory Council and assistant professor for clinical science. During her tenure as chief of dermatology at SCPMG, she more than doubled the size of the department with strategic, diverse hires, won team excellence awards for local initiatives, and received several teaching awards.
Dr. Tolbert’s dedication to equity, inclusion, and diversity has been a constant theme throughout her education and career. As a first-generation immigrant to the United States, she has used her voice and agency to support cultural and intellectual humility by nurturing curiosity and respect in herself and her colleagues.
She has used her master’s degree in public health for population management, Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set performance measures, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 5-star requirements, furthering strategies to mitigate health care disparities. She has participated in many Kaiser Permanente equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives, including speaking at Hippocrates Circle events and the Kaiser Permanente National Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Conference, co-teaching a diversity and ethics workshop, and delivering keynote addresses.
Board-certified in internal medicine and dermatology, Dr. Tolbert earned her undergraduate degree at Barry University and her medical degree at Howard University. She holds a law degree from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in public health from University of California, Los Angeles. Most recently, she holds a doctorate in education focusing on organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California.