I am so excited to be joining the Michigan Value Collaborative as a Senior Faculty Advisor. I’ve worked closely with the Collaborative Quality Initiatives for the last decade and am thrilled to continue that work in this new role!

By way of introduction, I am a surgeon and healthcare researcher at the University of Michigan. I am Maize and Blue through and through, having completed my undergrad, medical school, residency, and fellowship at the University of Michigan. My clinical practice focuses on bariatric and hernia surgery, and I also specialize in comprehensive obesity treatment with medications and other non-surgical options. What I love most about my practice is partnering with patients to help them accomplish their goals and live their life to the fullest.

My research focuses on studying the quality and safety of surgical care. My passion is taking what we discover through research and turning it into real-world improvements for our patients. To that end, I conduct studies that identify opportunities to improve care, then I use those findings to inform quality improvement efforts to make those changes a reality. My research has explored post-operative opioid prescribing, abdominal wall hernia repair, and long-term health changes after bariatric surgery. I’ve also written a lot about the Collaborative Quality Initiatives, which really demonstrate what you can accomplish through statewide collaboration and partnership.

The Michigan Value Collaborative is such a critical engine for translating our research into real-world improvements for patient care, and I could not be happier to join such a talented and dedicated team. In my role at MVC, I’ll be engaged in studying the quality of surgical care in Michigan, collaborating on quality improvement initiatives, and helping identify new ways to enhance the care we deliver to patients.

I’m truly looking forward to the work ahead and to contributing to MVC’s mission of driving high-value, patient-centered care across the state.