Institute on Healthcare Systems

Professor Stuart H. Altman passed away on January 1st, 2026. A formal memorial event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since 1977, Professor Altman championed Heller and Brandeis in roles including Executive Co-Director of the Schneider Institutes and Professor of National Health Policy. He was a nationally recognized policy leader and a mentor to hundreds of students. The Stuart Altman Chair in Health Policy and an endowed fellowship will help celebrate his legacy.

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.

On March 18, Dr. Doonan will reflect on how Trump Administration policies have influenced healthcare costs, access, public health, and patient outcomes as part of the Regis College Presidential Lecture Series. This panel, co-sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care,  will also bring together Senator Ed Markey, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, and Massachusetts Public Health Association Executive Director Carlene Pavlos. Register here (March 18, 6:15pm-8:00pm).