News

Since 2015, Dr. John Z. Ayanian has been an active and engaged member of CHRT’s Board of Directors. After two consecutive terms of service, Ayanian will step down from the role this month. CHRT is deeply grateful for Ayanian’s service and pleased to report that Dr. Renuka Tipirneni has been chosen to replace Ayanian on the board. 

“As a medical doctor and health sciences researcher with significant expertise in public policy, John has shared his tremendous expertise on the impact of health policy, practice, and payment reforms on patient health outcomes,” says Lynda Rossi, chair of the CHRT Board.

Ayanian also brought connections to hundreds of scientists at one of the world’s largest groups of health care and health policy researchers, the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI), which Ayanian directs at the University of Michigan.

“We’re so grateful for John’s many contributions to CHRT,” says Terrisca Des Jardins, CHRT’s executive director. “His knowledge, insights, and dedication have been fundamental to CHRT’s growth over the years.” 

Dr. Renuka Tipirneni is, like Ayanian, a medical doctor and health services researcher at the University of Michigan with significant expertise in public policy. Tipirneni’s research focuses on the impact of health care reform on low-socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minority, aging, and other vulnerable populations. 

Tipirneni is a co-investigator on the evaluation of Michigan’s Healthy Michigan Plan Medicaid expansion and is the Co-Director of a collaborative quality initiative (CQI), the Michigan Social Health Interventions to Eliminate Disparities (MSHIELD). The new initiative is funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is being launched in conjunction with the Health Equity Project, which aims to help Michigan counties reduce health disparities by addressing pressing social needs such as housing instability, food insecurity, and transportation . She is also a recipient of a National Institute on Aging career development award for examining the impact of insurance coverage expansion on near-retirement age adults. 

“Renu is known for translating research into evidence-based health policies and practices, and sharing lessons learned across states,” says Rossi. “We’re thrilled that she will bring this expertise to CHRT’s board.” 

“Renu is a CHRT Health Policy Fellow alumna, has collaborated with CHRT staff on survey work and numerous publications, and is working with CHRT on the newly launched Health Equity Project,” says Terrisca Des Jardins, executive director of CHRT. “The CHRT team and I are incredibly grateful for Renu’s long-standing relationship and willingness to take on this expanded role.”

“Partnering with CHRT has been a signature blessing of my career,” says Tipirneni, “from working on my first survey analyses, to learning with state policymakers in the CHRT policy fellowship, to many years later launching a statewide initiative to address social determinants of health in Michigan. I look forward to contributing to the next phase of CHRT’s activities and continued valuable impact on our communities and state.”