Jagpreet Chhatwal, PhD, MS is the director of the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment (ITA) and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He is also a faculty member of the Center for Health Decision Science at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Data Science Initiative. His research is centered in outcomes research, health economics, decision science, and artificial intelligence.
Dr Chhatwal has co-authored over 120 research articles and editorials in peer-reviewed journals. His work has been cited in leading media outlets, including CNN, Forbes, National Public Radio, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.
He has been a long-time member of ISPOR since 2012. Importantly, he has served as an associate editor for Value in Health since 2019, where in addition to his regular responsibilities, he has also co-edited 3 themed sections. Dr Chhatwal frequently teaches workshops on new/advanced methods at ISPOR annual conferences. He is a co-chair of the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making, whose theme is the future of medical decision making in the era of generative AI.
His work on economic and disease burden of hepatitis C has received national and international attention. He recently advised the US White House on feasibility and cost of President Biden’s national hepatitis C elimination plan. In addition, he has collaborated with health ministries of several countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led a multi-institutional COVID-19 Modeling Consortium whose aim was to inform time-sensitive policy questions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Of note, he contributed to COVID-19 projections in 100+ countries that informed pharmaceutical and governmental planning for global drug production. His COVID-19 work received wide media attention, notably on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr Chhatwal is a certified meditation instructor and is actively researching the impacts of meditation on emotional well-being. He frequently shares his knowledge through breath-based meditation workshops in various settings.
ISPOR Vision Statement by Jag Chhatwal
In serving as a Board Director for ISPOR, I am committed to leveraging my extensive 15+ years of experience within the academic and pharmaceutical sectors to further ISPOR’s strategic objectives. My professional journey is characterized by substantive collaborations across the life sciences industry, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies, and influential government agencies, including the White House. This experience not only enriches my perspective but also equips me with the diverse expertise necessary to navigate the complex interplay between healthcare innovation and policy.
Strategic Initiatives for Generative AI Integration: In this transformative era of generative AI, we stand at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology into health economics and outcomes research (HEOR). As someone with background in both AI and HEOR, I plan to lead/support strategic initiatives to craft comprehensive guidance for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies and life sciences industry on the utilization of generative AI. By developing practical use cases and setting standards for its appropriate application, we aim not only to embrace this novel technology but to drive the HEOR field towards future advancements. Rigorous methodologies will be established to assist various stakeholders, including life sciences leaders, HTA staff, and scientific communities, ensuring our advancement remains methodical and ethically sound.
Education and Skill Development: I am committed to channeling my energy into the creation of innovative educational resources tailored to the changing landscape of HEOR in the era of generative AI. These materials will support the ISPOR society and its members in acquiring the requisite skills to thrive in this new era. Gathering insights from our diverse membership—spanning different geographies, career stages, and organizations—is vital. To prepare our future workforce for emerging roles, I will also foster partnerships with leading technology firms for skill enhancement in AI.
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: I will initiate strategic efforts to elevate the visibility of ISPOR members’ work through mainstream media channels. The pandemic heightened public engagement with health economics models, presenting an opportune moment to underscore our contributions. Leveraging my established channels with prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, National Public Radio, STAT News, and The Wall Street Journal, I aim to showcase our members' research and amplify their voices. Empowering our community, especially trainees/students, to articulate the significance of HEOR will be paramount in our collective success.
Holistic Leadership and Well-being: As a certified meditation instructor, I recognize the power of mental well-being in cultivating effective leadership. I intend to introduce workshops designed to reduce stress, enhance focus and mental clarity, and equip our members with the resilience needed to become impactful leaders. These sessions will not only foster personal growth but also contribute to the nurturing of a supportive and dynamic professional environment.
I am honored for the opportunity to serve on the ISPOR board. My vision is to position ISPOR as a pioneering society in the era of generative AI, leading with scientific excellence, strategic educational and communication initiatives, and a commitment to the holistic development of its members.