Dr. Hedwig Murphy was named chair of the board of directors for the Southeast Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross in Michigan. She assumes the post on July 1.
Murphy, who joined the board in November 2021, and is succeeding Phillip McKenna who served as chair from 2021 to 2023. The board is made up of 21 volunteer community and business leaders.
“Hedwig is a passionate leader with a life-long commitment to service,” says Mary Lynn Foster, regional CEO for the Red Cross in Michigan. “Her deep understanding of our mission will greatly enhance our visibility and commitment in the communities we serve in southeast Michigan.”
Murphy began her volunteerism with the Red Cross in 2007 as a member of its then Washtenaw County Chapter board of directors and served as a volunteer physician medical director for the first aid support team.
The chapter later became part of the Southeast Michigan Chapter as part of an organizational restructuring. In her chair role, Murphy will work with Foster and her leadership team to carry out the Red Cross mission, provide governance oversight and community relations and fundraising advocacy in southeast Michigan.
In other board appointments beginning July 1, Leonard Rezmierski and Daryl Kaiser will serve as co-vice chairs and Cindy Dion as secretary.
Rezmierski will lead the Biomedical Services Committee while Cindy Dion will lead the Board Development and Engagement Committee and Joya Harris will lead the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, Kyle Green will be in charge of the Mission Committee and Erica Bell and Katie Wendt will head the philanthropy committee.
Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree from the Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Massachusetts and a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. She earned her doctorate and medical degrees from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. She completed her medical residency at the University of Michigan. In addition to the Red Cross, Murphy is a volunteer with the Washtenaw County Medical Reserve Corps.
