Donald Berwick

Donald Berwick CMS Administrator

Donald M. Berwick (born September 9, 1946) is an American physician and former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Berwick is recognized for his work in health care reform and improvements in health care quality.

Early Life and Education

Donald Berwick was born in New York City. He completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1968. He went on to earn a Master of Public Policy from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1972, followed by an M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School in 1972.

Career

After completing his medical residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Boston, Berwick began a career focused on improving health care systems. In 1983, he co-founded the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality worldwide.

Berwick's work with IHI and his publications on health care quality, including his advocacy for the application of Total Quality Management techniques in health care, gained him national and international recognition. He has been a vocal advocate for patient-centered care and the reduction of medical errors.

In July 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Berwick to serve as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. His appointment was a recess appointment, bypassing the need for Senate confirmation, which sparked controversy among political opponents. During his tenure at CMS, Berwick focused on implementing parts of the Affordable Care Act, particularly those related to improving care quality and reducing costs. He served in this role until December 2011, when he resigned amid ongoing political opposition to his appointment.

Later Work and Contributions

After leaving CMS, Berwick continued to advocate for health care reform and quality improvement. He has served on numerous boards and commissions related to health care policy and has been a prolific writer and speaker on issues of health care quality and reform.

In 2013, Berwick announced his candidacy for Governor of Massachusetts as a Democrat but was not successful in securing the nomination.

Legacy and Impact

Donald Berwick's contributions to health care, particularly in the areas of quality improvement and patient safety, have been significant. His work has influenced health care policies and practices not only in the United States but also internationally. Through his leadership at IHI and CMS, Berwick has played a key role in shaping contemporary approaches to health care quality and efficiency.

Selected Publications

Berwick has authored numerous articles and books on health care quality and improvement. Some of his notable works include:

- "Escape Fire: Designs for the Future of Health Care" - "Curing Health Care: New Strategies for Quality Improvement"

Awards and Honors

Over his career, Berwick has received several awards and honors for his contributions to health care, including being appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and receiving the Ernest Amory Codman Award for his work in improving the quality of health care.

See Also

- Health care reform in the United States - Patient safety - Total Quality Management in health care