IHS News

Dr. Cynthia A. Tschampl to Deliver Address on Data Erasure at ChangeInSight Data Equity Summit, April 24.

Dr. Cynthia A. Tschampl will be speaking at the ChangeInSight Data Equity Summit on Friday, April 24. During the summit, Cynthia will share insights into the erasure of inclusive data, its impact on community representation and what is being done to address it. Her session, “Where Did the Data Go?” at 1 p.m. ET, will offer a closer look at how data can be applied in real-world settings to better understand community needs and improve outcomes across sectors.

Click to learn more and register.

SPIRE Study Phase II, Led by IHS Director Dr. Jen Perloff (PI) and Schneider Co-Director Dr. Karen Donelan (Co-Investigator), Commences at 32 Primary Care Practices Across the Country.

The PCORI-funded SPIRE study was approved in 2025 to advance from a Phase I pilot to full-scale implementation. Led by Drs. Perloff, Donelan, and Mass General Hospital’s Dr. Christine Ritchie, the study will compare the effectiveness of two care models for older adults with complex health needs.  Enrollment has begun as of January 2026.

Rajan Sonik, PhD’17, appointed Sol C. Chaikin Associate Research Professor of National Health Policy.

An Associate Research Professor in IHS since 2023, Sonik’s research examines how interventions to address the social determinants of health affect health care outcomes, with a special focus on disparities by race, ethnicity and disability status. Sonik leads three ongoing research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health [t.e2ma.net].

The Chaikin chair, named for a champion of the American labor movement, was held by Stuart Altman until his retirement in 2025.

Michael Doonan

Dr. Michael Doonan Shares Expertise in Panel on Trump Administration’s Impact on Health Services.

Last month, Dr. Doonan joined the Regis College Presidential Lecture Series to reflect on how the Trump Administration's policies have influenced healthcare costs, access, public health, and patient outcomes. This panel, co-sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care,  also brought together Senator Ed Markey, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, and Massachusetts Public Health Association Executive Director Carlene Pavlos. 

Welcome to the Institute on Healthcare Systems

Our high-impact research on healthcare services delivery builds on the work of our founders, national health policy leaders Stuart Altman and Stan Wallack.

We apply our methodological expertise in big data analysis, surveys, stakeholder engagement, and more to produce rigorous analyses of pressing issues in 21st century
healthcare systems.

Our portfolio includes projects related to accountable care, aging and disability, social determinants of health, and workforce. Visit our Research page to see what we’re working on now.

Jennifer Perloff, PhD '06, IHS Director Jennifer Perloff, PhD '06, Director