The Government Accountability Office (GAO) September 22 announced the appointment of Russell M. Howerton, MD, FACS, chief medical officer and vice president of clinical operations at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors. The AAMC had nominated Dr. Howerton based on his current clinical leadership at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and primary role in implementing research and improving the linkage between research and clinical care.
AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD, applauded Dr. Howerton’s appointment stating “As a member of the Board of Governors, Russell Howerton, MD, FACS, will bring a broad range of perspectives and expertise in clinical health sciences research to PCORI, helping that organization identify critical research questions, fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, and disseminate the results in ways that are useful to patients and to our community.” Dr. Howerton serves as the current chair of the AAMC’s Chief Medical Officers Group.
PCORI, an independent nonprofit, nongovernmental organization was authorized (Subtitle D of Title VI - Sec. 6301) through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148 and P.L. 111-152) in 2010. It is charged with improving the quality and relevance of evidence available to help patients, caregivers, clinicians, employers, insurers, and policy makers make informed health decisions. The organization funds comparative clinical effectiveness research and supports improving the methods used to conduct such studies.
PCORI is governed by a 21-member Board of Governors. The Board represents a broad range of perspectives and collective expertise in clinical health sciences research. The Comptroller General of the United States appoints members of the Board, including its Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, in accordance with PCORI’s authorizing law.