What's New
Announcement
Posted on 09.10.03
Hugh H. Tilson, MD, DrPH, Chair, CERTs Steering Committee Announces New Steering Committee Members for 2003-2004
The CERTs national steering committee members represent the top leaders in the health care industry today. The steering committee works to shape and support the CERTs mission to conduct research and provide education in order to advance the optimal use of drugs, medical devices and biological products. Members are chosen from each of the 7 CERTs centers, federal government agencies and the private sector providing both public and private perspectives.
Member changes reflect 3 at-large positions and their alternates. Starting new terms, effective October 1, are current members, Linda F. Golodner and James G. Kotsanos, MD, MS. Joining them is first time member Barbara A. Blakeney, MS, RN, ANP. Alternate positions will be filled by Myrl Weinberg, CAE, Marc L. Berger, MD and Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP.
Elected to a second term is Linda F. Golodner, president and CEO of the National Consumers League. Ms. Golodner is the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions promoting consumer interests both nationally and internationally. Among her considerable accomplishments she chairs the National Council on Patient Information and Education and is a founding member of the Child Labor Coalition.
Also continuing is James G. Kotsanos, MD, MS, director of worldwide pharmacovigilance and epidemiology for Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Kotsanos has served as an epidemic intelligence officer for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is currently vice-chair of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association's clinical leadership committee. He is an active leader in patient care, teaching and research.
Serving since January, Dr. Kotsanos replaced Lisa C. Egbuonu-Davis, MD, MPH, MBA, one of the original members of the CERTs steering committee. Dr. Egbuonu-Davis served on the steering committee for more than 3 years, providing exceptional leadership and support to the CERTs. As vice president of Global Outcomes Research and Medical Director of Outcomes Research at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group, Pfizer Inc., she leads health economic and patient outcomes research. Dr. Egbuonu-Davis is also a member of the National Advisory Council for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
New member, Barbara A. Blakeney, MS, RN, ANP, brings a vital perspective to the committee as president of the American Nurses Association. She is an expert in public health practice and policy and leadership development. Ms. Blakeney has made significant contributions to public health at the national level and was named by Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare in 2002.
Myrl Weinberg, alternate for Ms. Golodner, is president of the National Health Council. Ms. Weinberg has a long history of board and committee service including serving as a past member of the Health Sciences Policy Board. She is currently a member of the clinical research roundtable of the Institute of Medicine and is on the commission of life sciences for the National Academies.
Marc L. Berger, MD, alternate for Dr. Kotsanos, is currently vice president for outcomes research and disease management programs at Merck & Company, Inc. He holds professorships at both the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Public Health.
Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, will serve as Ms. Blakeney's alternate. Dr. Benjamin is a nationally renowned leader in public health. He brings a distinguished career of service and achievement to the steering committee, including his current post as head of the American Public Health Association. Dr. Benjamin was former Secretary of Health for the State of Maryland and Commissioner of Public Health for the District of Columbia.
Leaving the steering committee is Karen Williams, president of the National Pharmaceutical Council. In her four years of service, Ms. Williams was able to share her extensive knowledge of public policy and private industry, including insurance, pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and consulting with the steering committee. Her multifaceted input is a prime example of the diverse collaborative principle that drives the CERTs program and makes it such a dynamic, ambitious endeavor.
On behalf of the steering committee, we would like to welcome our newly elected members and express our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to both Dr. Egbuonu-Davis and Ms. Williams for their valuable contributions to the CERTs.
For a complete list of steering committee members visit the steering committee section.