Andrew Bindman, M.D., Named New AHRQ Director

Andrew Bindman, M.D., a primary care physician with federal and state health policy experience who has practiced, taught, and conducted health services research at San Francisco General Hospital, has been named AHRQ’s new director. Dr. Bindman recently served as Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology & Biostatistics and affiliated faculty member within the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco. He has led the development of a nationally recognized academic division focused on improving the care of vulnerable populations and a state-university partnership with California’s Medicaid program that promotes translating research into policy.

In announcing the appointment, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said, "As AHRQ Director, Dr. Bindman will drive the Agency’s three core missions of producing research and evidence to improve the quality and safety of health care and the functioning of the health care system, producing tools and training materials to make sure that evidence is understood and used, and investing in data and measures used by providers, patients, and policymakers."

Dr. Bindman will assume leadership of AHRQ on May 2. AHRQ Deputy Director Sharon B. Arnold, Ph.D., has served as AHRQ’s Acting Director since the departure of Richard Kronick, Ph.D., who left the agency in March.