Dr. Emily Oken Appointed as New President of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute: Leading the Way in Population Health and Medicine

Dr. Emily Oken: A New Era of Leadership at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute

Dr. Emily Oken, MD, has assumed the mantle of leadership as the new president of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. In addition, she will also serve as chair of Harvard Medical School's Department of Population Medicine. Dr. Oken's appointment heralds a new era in population health and medicine, as she is the first to hold a medical school department position based within a health plan in the U.S.

With a background in internal medicine and pediatrics, Dr. Oken is a dedicated professional in the field of health care with a particular emphasis on maternal and child health. She has been a part of the institute's faculty since 2003, dedicating herself to various roles within the population medicine department. Her career is marked by a commitment to improving health care delivery and population health through innovative research and education.

Dr. Oken's Contribution to the Institute and Her Future Plans

Dr. Oken's tenure at the Institute has been characterized by her involvement in a substantial NIH-funded portfolio of life course research. Her work is geared towards making a tangible difference in the health and wellbeing of populations, by partnering with health plans, delivery systems, and public health agencies.

As she steps into her new role, Dr. Oken aims to further the institute's mission to improve health care and population health. Her leadership will undoubtedly build on the solid foundation established by her predecessor, Dr. Richard Platt, MD, who led the Institute for over two decades.

Dr. Richard Platt: The End of an Era, but the Legacy Continues

Dr. Richard Platt, MD, MSc, steps down after serving 20 years at the institute's helm, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service and leadership. His contribution to the institute has been invaluable, and he will continue to serve on-faculty as a researcher and director of the institute's therapeutics research and infectious disease epidemiology division.

Research Insights: The Link Between Infertility and Cardiovascular Health

One of the many research projects that Dr. Oken has been involved in, as part of her life course research portfolio, is the study of the association of infertility history with cardiovascular health in women. This research revealed that a history of infertility is significantly associated with lower cardiovascular health scores at midlife, pointing to infertility as a potential marker for future cardiovascular health in women.

The study, which was conducted as part of the Project Viva cohort study, underscores the need for enhanced cardiovascular preventive strategies, particularly for individuals who have experienced infertility. This research is a testament to the institute's commitment to innovative research that can inform and improve health care delivery and population health.

Under the leadership of Dr. Oken, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute is set to continue its pioneering work in the field of population health and medicine, contributing to transformative changes in health care delivery and policy.