CMS Welcomes Dr. Donald Berwick as New Administrator

On July 12, 2010 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) welcomed Dr. Donald Berwick as administrator. Dr. Berwick comes to CMS from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, where he served as the president and chief executive officer.

Dr. Berwick is eager to begin work on CMS initiatives and brings his rich experience in clinical quality improvement to improve care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Since being appointed, he has already collaborated with CMS employees on the rollout of health information technology and Meaningful Use. Those at CMS look forward to working with Dr. Berwick on the challenges ahead. He is regarded as a great asset to the Agency.

Also in Dr. Berwick’s repertoire is his experience as professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. In addition, Dr. Berwick has served as chair of the National Advisory Council of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Dr. Berwick was on the IOM’s governing council from 2002 to 2007. In 1997 and 1998, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Healthcare Industry.

Dr. Berwick has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for patients and providing better care at a lower cost. According to Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer for CMS, Marilyn Tavenner, “he is a pioneer in the area of quality healthcare and an ideal choice to lead [the] Agency. His wealth of experience with the healthcare industry and his vision for the future of health care in the United States will be critical as [CMS] works to make the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a reality for all Americans.”