PCORI Names Jean Slutsky Chief Engagement and Dissemination Officer

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced today the appointment of Jean Slutsky, PA, MSPH, as Chief Engagement and Dissemination Officer, a new position in which she will lead PCORI's Engagement Program and growing dissemination and implementation planning efforts. She will also continue to serve as Director of PCORI's Communication and Dissemination Research Program.

A long-time expert in comparative clinical effectiveness research, evidence translation, implementation and stakeholder engagement, Slutsky joined PCORI in February to head the science program that supports research on how to most effectively communicate and disseminate patient-centered outcomes research findings to healthcare decision-makers. In her new position, she will fill the leadership role vacated by Anne C. Beal, MD, MPH, PCORI's first Chief Officer for Engagement, who left earlier this month for a new opportunity with Sanofi, S.A.

As PCORI-funded studies begin generating findings over the next several years, knowledge of how best to promote understanding and uptake of study results will become increasingly vital – as will initiatives that increase the sharing and implementation of research findings. Slutsky will oversee PCORI's growing portfolio of communications research and in her new role, she will direct the many dissemination and engagement projects already under way as well as initiate new efforts.

"Jean Slutsky is a natural fit for this joint appointment that brings the science of dissemination together with the practice of engagement, dissemination and implementation," said PCORI's Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. "She has the breadth and depth of expertise to lead the greater integration of communication and dissemination science with our robust, ongoing efforts to engage those who will use the results of studies we've funded. I'm looking forward to working with her as we prepare to share a wealth of new research findings."

"Patient and stakeholder engagement and research on communication and dissemination share a vital goal: to ensure that PCORI produces important research results that are truly helpful to healthcare decision-makers in making informed choices about their care," Slutsky said. "As a former physician assistant and family caregiver, I know firsthand the need for clear and understandable information to help patients make the best possible decisions for their personal circumstances. I'm excited about this opportunity to help PCORI meet its vision of making sure that patients and the public have information they can use to make decisions that reflect their desired health outcomes."

"One of PCORI's mandates is to speed the implementation of research findings, and PCORI will benefit greatly in this area from Jean's expertise in both comparative clinical effectiveness research and dissemination and implementation of research findings," said Grayson Norquist, MD, MSPH, chair of PCORI's Board of Governors and professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Slutsky came to PCORI from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) where she directed the Center for Outcomes and Evidence since 2003. During her tenure at AHRQ, Slutsky oversaw several clinical outcomes and effectiveness research activities, including the Effective Health Care Program, Evidence-based Practice Center program, and extramural and intramural research portfolios concerning translating research into practice. She also served as a project director for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

In addition to her work at AHRQ, Slutsky also represented AHRQ on PCORI's Methodology Committee, which developed the PCORI Methodology Report, a compilation of baseline requirements for following best practices in the conduct of scientifically valid patient-centered outcomes research. She also is a member of the AcademyHealth Methods Council.

About PCORI
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.

SOURCE Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)