AcademyHealth named IHP Director Dr. David Blumenthal the 2008 recipient of its prestigious Distinguished Investigator Award.  The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of health services research and health policy.

Dr. Blumenthal received the honor at AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting in Washington, DC, on June 8. In a statement, W. David Helms, PhD, president and CEO of AcademyHealth, noted that “distinguished leaders from our community” had made this selection from among individuals representing “the very best from our talented health services field.  We are delighted to recognize … established leaders whose research advances policy and practice to improve health and health care.”

Dr. Blumenthal’s research interests include the extent and consequences of academic-industrial relationships in the life sciences; professionalism and the determinants of physician behavior; the organization and financing of physicians services; the dissemination of health information technology; and quality management in health care organizations.