John has more than 30 years of experience in the development of healthcare policy initiatives and the implementation of effective strategies in the conduct of academic programs and research for various governmental agencies, including the Veterans Health

He is especially knowledgeable about quality assurance and improvement activities, as they are applicable to the conduct of human subject research. He is expert in the research techniques associated with program evaluations.

Professional experience
Over the past decade, John has, been involved in several aspects of human subject protections and the various programs designed to ensure compliance with the various regulations and the guidance for the protection of volunteers in research. In particular:

  • Recent membership of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of a for-profit independent IRB where he also served as the Chair of the IRB Executive Committee, Chair of the IRB Member Performance Evaluation Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the SAE Subcommittee and the member and liaison representative of the organization on the Conflict of Interest Committee.
  • Served as a site visitor and a member of the Council of the Accreditation Agency for Human Subjects Research: the Association for Accreditation for Human Research Protection Programs [AAHRPP].
  • Directed the Office of Inspections in the VA/OIG, where he personally conducted several research misconduct and improprieties investigations for the VA’s healthcare system.
  • Director of the VA’s Office of Research Compliance and Assurance, subsequently establishing a similar oversight research activity at the U. of Michigan.
  • Previously he had been responsible for issues related to medical disability determinations as the Chief Medical Officer for the Social Security Administration where he established a new QA/QI and research program.
  • He was involved in support and establishment of a number of academic programs and geriatric initiatives throughout the Veterans Health Administration.

Education and Certifications

  • Board Certified Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon
  • Medical Degree from the University of London, London, England
  • Certified IRB Professional (CIP)
  • Certified Federal Mediator
  • Certified Physician Executive, VA
  • Licensure, Board of Medical Examiners, Maryland

Professional associations

  • Elected Fellow, American College of Physician Executives, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Physicians
  • Fellow, American Geriatrics Society, Gerontological Society of America, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Member of the AMA, AAMC, PRIM&R, ACRP/APPI, SRA, and the Association for the History of Medicine, where he is identified as a medical pathographer, particularly interested in the medical afflictions of Sir Winston Churchill.

Speaking engagements
As a frequent speaker at conferences and symposia, topics have included issues related to health care` systems, the organization of human subject research, medical disability and geriatrics.

Publications
More than 200 publications (articles and books) on health policy issues, with those more recently focused on human subjects protection issues. He has considerable experience in authoring reports and policy options papers that affect health systems improvements.

Miscellaneous
John continues to work closely with various medical advocacy organizations, including veterans’ service organizations, particularly the PVA, as well as with congressional staff on matters within his areas of experience and expertise.