Warren Alpert Foundation Professor of Health Care Policy J. Michael McWilliams, MD, PhD, and colleagues have been awarded the 2019 AcademyHealth HSR Impact Award.
The HSR Impact Award was created by the AcademyHealth Board of Directors to recognize research that has had a significant impact on health and health care. One of AcademyHealth’s most prestigious awards, the HSR Impact Award identifies and promotes examples of outstanding research that has been successfully translated into health policy, management, or clinical practice. This work addresses cost, quality, access, equity and patient outcomes, and the delivery of care. The winning work reflects AcademyHealth’s vision to improve health and health care through the application and use of evidence.
McWilliams received this award for his work studying Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Programs. This research, conducted along with colleagues at Harvard including Leonard D. Schaeffer Professor of Health Care Policy Michael Chernew, PhD, professor of health care policy Bruce Landon, MD, MBA, and associate professor of health care policy (biostatistics) Laura Hatfield, includes 30 articles published over 7 years and numerous translational efforts to support evidence-based policy. The research has made substantial contributions to understanding the impact, mechanisms, and optimal design of ACO payment models.
AcademyHealth works to advance the field of health services research. Working with stakeholders, they address current and future health care needs, inform health policy and practice, and turn evidence into action. AcademyHealth is the leading national organization for health services research, policymakers, health care practitioners, and stakeholders. Their work increases the understanding of methods and data used in the health care field and enhances the professional skills of researchers and research users.
The HSR Impact Award was presented to McWilliams by AcademyHealth President and CEO Lisa Simpson at the 2019 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting in Washington, DC.