Today, the AcademyHealth Board of Directors announced their selection of nationally recognized thought leader, science communicator, pediatrician, and health services researcher, Aaron Carroll, M.D., M.S., as the next President and CEO of AcademyHealth.
"Dr. Carroll is a fantastic choice to lead AcademyHealth into the next era of advocating for the use of evidence to improve the delivery of health care and to improve health for all," said chair of the AcademyHealth Board of Directors Lucy Savitz, Ph.D., M.B.A, professor in the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Health Policy and Management in the Graduate School of Public Health and Senior Innovation Advisor for the UPMC Insurance Division in their Center for High Value Health Care. "The board was especially impressed with Dr. Carroll's highly visible and impactful track record in translating complex research findings in a way to spark action as well as his passion for the development and mentoring of diverse research talent."
Dr. Carroll is currently a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Chief Health Officer at Indiana University. He is also Associate Dean for Research Mentoring and the past director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. He earned a B.A. in chemistry from Amherst College, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and an M.S. in health services from the University of Washington School of Public Health, where he was also a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar. In addition, he previously served as Vice President for faculty development at the Regenstrief Institute, a medical research and development organization with expertise in electronic medical records and health care data integration. Dr. Carroll's research focuses on the study of information technology to improve pediatric care, decision analysis, and areas of health policy including cost-effectiveness of care and health care financing reform.
The selection of Dr. Carroll further bolsters AcademyHealth's work to improve health and health care for all by moving evidence into policy and practice.
He is an expert science communicator, the author of multiple books, a frequent contributor to the New York Times, co-editor-in-chief of The Incidental Economist, and his publications as well as his Healthcare Triage YouTube series and podcast have educated and entertained millions of readers and viewers.
"Today's challenges demand robust, inclusive evidence that tackles real-world issues. It's imperative that we communicate this knowledge in a manner that is comprehensible, trustworthy, and applicable," said Carroll. "AcademyHealth supports, amplifies, and represents the interests of a diverse and talented field that is perfectly positioned to answer that call. Stepping into this leadership role is a dream opportunity to work with some of the best minds in health research and policy and to make a real difference in American health care."
Dr. Carroll assumes the role of President and CEO from Dr. Lisa Simpson, who will step down in March. Under Dr. Simpson's leadership, AcademyHealth made a public commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, expanded its influence in Washington, and built robust portfolios of work to support innovation in data, workforce, research impact, and learning health systems.
"As a long serving AcademyHealth Board member, I am pleased that the selection committee was sensitive to the importance of choosing a leader who has demonstrated a commitment to evidence generation that advances the fight for health equity across all population groups” said Dr. Reed Tuckson, a cofounder of the Black Coalition Against COVID. "AcademyHealth and its stakeholder community of scholars have provided leadership and practical evidence-based guidance in this increasingly important field and I am confident that Dr. Carroll's leadership, intellect, and communication expertise will help advance this work into the future."
Dr. Carroll will assume his new role on March 18, 2024.
This article was originally posted on the Academy Health blog on January 22, 2024.