I am primarily recognized for my research on organ and tissue transplantation. However, this largely reflects my broader interests in medical technology, health care economics, practice variations, outcome assessment, and health care evaluation (see Professional Profile PDF).

I received my doctorate in Sociology from Duke University in 1979. From 1979 to 1992 I was a Research Scientist at the Battelle Human Affairs Research Centers in Seattle, Washington (a division of the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio). During this time, I was also a Clinical Assistant, then Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Health Services in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington. In 1992, I was appointed to chair the newly created Section of Health Services Evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In 1999 I became an independent consultant in health care.

During my career, I have directed several national studies. These studies have addressed the clinical and health policy implications of organ and tissue transplantation. They include the following: (1) the National Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation Study, (2) the National Heart Transplantation Study, and (3) the National Cooperative Transplantation Study. In addition, my research has helped shape the future of new biotechnology products (recombinant human erythropoetin) and companies (Amgen).

Transplantation has not been the sole thrust of my research. While at the Mayo Clinic, I was directly involved in the development of the Mayo Health System – a regional network of hospitals and clinics intended to meet rural health care needs. My section was committed to the integration of primary and specialty services to assure cost-effective, high quality care. I also worked closely with Mayo Medical Ventures and Mayo Medical Laboratories on a variety of strategic alliances and product/service analyses. My committee appointments at Mayo underscore the breadth of my activities (see Mayo Clinic Committee Appointments PDF).

In 1999 I was profiled in Forbes magazine (June 14: Volume 163, Number 12, Page 158).

Publications and presentations are critical to the career of any accomplished scientist. I have published over 200 papers (see Publications PDF), and made more than 350 public and professional presentations (see Lectures and Presentations PDF).

Throughout my career, I have combined my academic research interests with specific practical applications. This is apparent from my appointments to numerous national and international task forces, advisory committees, and boards of directors. I am widely sought after for my expertise in many areas.

I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and I have served as a member of two Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences) study committees – one on the treatment of end-stage renal disease, and the other on xenotransplantation.

In 2001, Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Services, appointed me to the Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT). The Committee advises the Secretary on all aspects of organ donation, procurement, allocation, and transplantation. Previously I served on the National Organ Transplantation Task Force (1985-86), which advised the Reagan Administration.

I have been a consultant to Health Care Financing Administration (now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), the Office of Technology Assessment, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Advisory Board, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the General Accounting Office (Office of Inspector General), the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the Institute of Medicine.

In 1985, I was the recipient of the Administrator’s Citation from the Health Care Financing Administration “In acknowledgement of outstanding research work.”

I am a member of many professional organizations, including AcademyHealth, the American Society of Transplantation, the International Health Economics Association, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the International Liver Transplantation Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Public Health Association, the American Society of Health Economists, and the International Society for Quality of Life Research.

I am currently on the Editorial Board, and serve as Associate Editor for the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. I am a regular reviewer for over 25 journals and publications, including the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Transplantation, and the Health Care Financing Review.

I am a Public Member of the United Network for Organ Sharing, and I have previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for both the National Marrow Donor Program (1988 to 2000), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (1987-90).

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