Michelle Higley
Dr. Michelle Higley ’92 is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has practiced medicine in Southern California for 20 years.
In 2020, Dr. Higley joined J&J Janssen Pharmaceuticals, working in the Global Medical Safety Immunology Division. She has served on the Janssen Immunology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for two years.
She previously served as director of medical safety for Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Technology beginning in 2014, covering four J&J subsidiaries during her tenure. During this time, she was intimately involved with research and development, securing patents for new medical devices.
Dr. Higley earned her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from California State University, Long Beach, where she was a member of the Sigma Xi Honors Scientific Research Society. Upon graduation, she worked in molecular biology research, designing viral vectors for gene therapy at the University of California, Irvine. She completed her medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. After medical school, Dr. Higley completed her internship in general surgery at the Huntington Hospital in Pasadena (University of Southern California affiliate program). She completed her residency in anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and is a diplomat member of the American Board of Anesthesiology.
During her years of medical practice, Dr. Higley has volunteered in domestic violence research and education and as an anesthesiologist with local and international nonprofit medical organizations, as well as at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. She is a current member of the Long Beach Medical Reserve Core.
Dr. Higley is also a member of the CSULB Bob Murphy Access Center Board of Directors. She has served as the director of anesthesiology at Keyes Surgery Center and as a mock oral board examiner for anesthesiology consultants. Over the years, she has participated in numerous fundraising projects, including founding the CSULB Dave Sanfilippo and Dr. Michelle Endowed Scholarship. In her spare time, Dr. Higley enjoys cooking, mentoring, dogs and horses, dancing, rollercoasters, and the outdoors.
