Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Names Selby First Executive Director

Veteran Public Health Expert to Lead Patient-Focused Outcomes Research

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced today the selection of Dr. Joe V. Selby, M.D., M.P.H., as its first executive director. PCORI is an independent, non-profit organization created to provide patients and those who care for them information they can use to evaluate prevention, diagnosis and treatment options and make more informed health decisions.

"Dr. Selby is a rare combination of innovative research leader and tireless patient advocate, who is passionate about PCORI's work to ensure that the patient perspective is incorporated throughout the health research and dissemination process," said Dr. Eugene Washington, M.D., M.Sc., chair of the PCORI Board of Governors and vice chancellor of Health Sciences and dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. "He has the experience and respect needed to bring the entire health community together to advance research that is uniquely aligned with patient needs. The PCORI Board is thrilled that Joe will be managing the organization and advancing this important mission."

Selby is a family physician, clinical epidemiologist and health services researcher. He joins PCORI from Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, where he was director of the Division of Research for 13 years and oversaw a department of more than 50 investigators and 500 research staff working on more than 250 ongoing studies. An accomplished researcher, Selby has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and continues to conduct research, primarily in the areas of diabetes outcomes and quality improvement.  

"Improving the quality and the results of patient care is PCORI's primary goal," Selby said. "PCORI has an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients by producing and promoting research that directly addresses their expressed needs and provides understandable, useful information to support decision-making. I am eager to get to work with the Board to build and develop the organization needed to achieve PCORI's goals."

As executive director, Selby will identify strategic issues and opportunities for PCORI and implement programs authorized by the PCORI Board of Governors. Building on the work of the Board and interim staff, Selby will create an organizational structure to carry out a national research agenda. He also will lead PCORI's engagement of all participants in the U.S. health care delivery system, including patients, families and caregivers, to solicit input on PCORI's health research and information programs.

Selby was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in 2009 and was a member of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality study section for Health Care Quality and Effectiveness from 1999-2003. A native of Fulton, Missouri, Selby received his medical degree from Northwestern University and his master's in public health from the University of California, Berkeley. He was a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service from 1976-1983 and received the Commissioned Officer's Award in 1981.

SOURCE Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute