Newsmakers: May/June 2011

Anushka Chadha

Moyer, Siu, LeFevre to lead U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Virginia A. Moyer, MD, MPH, in March was named chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Albert L. Siu, MD, MSPH; and Michael L. LeFevre, MD, MSPH, will serve as co-vice chairs. The newly appointed leaders bring pediatric, geriatric and family medicine experience to the panel.

Kramer takes new role at Pacific Business Group on Health

Bill Kramer, MBA, in January was appointed executive director of national policy at the Pacific Business Group on Health. His duties include implementing the organization’s new vision for transparency in health care quality, costs and outcomes.

Coetzee named chief research officer for National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Timothy Coetzee, PhD, in January was named chief research officer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Previously president of Fast Forward, a multiple sclerosis treatment initiative, Coetzee has also held leadership positions in research and business development. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the society’s global research program.

Jeste to head American Psychiatric Association

Dilip V. Jeste, MD, in March became president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association. A former professor of psychiatry and neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego, Jeste previously served on the task force that devleoped the organization’s fifth edition of its “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” and is founding director of the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education.

Graham joins George Washington School of Public Health

Robert Graham, MD, in March joined the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services as a professor of health policy and director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Aligning Forces for Quality program, which focuses on health care quality and equality improvement.

Fearer appointed to health insurance exchange board

Paul Fearer in March was appointed to the California Health Insurance Exchange Board. The former chair of the Pacific Business Group for Health, Fearer will help develop the health insurance exchange required under the new health reform law.

Petty joins University of Wisconsin

Elizabeth M. Petty, MD, in March was named senior associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She previously served as associate dean for medical education at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Pulmonary disease foundation adopts official journal

The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Foundation in March announced that COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, will be its official journal. Research from the journal is used to develop programs to improve the quality of life for people who are affected by the disease.