Directors
Director: Reinhard BusseProfessor Dr. Reinhard Busse MPH FFPH is professor and department head for health care management at Technische Universität Berlin. Besides being one the Observatory's Associate Head of Research Policy and Head of the Berlin hub, he is a member of several scientific advisory boards and a regular consultant for WHO, the EU Commission, OECD and other international organizations within Europe and beyond as well as national health and research institutions. His research and publications focus on the methods and the contents of comparative health system analysis (with a particular emphasis on the reforms in Germany, other social health insurance countries and central and Eastern Europe, role of EU), health services research including cost-effectiveness analyses, health targets, and health technology assessment (HTA).
Co-Director: Nigel EdwardsNigel Edwards is director of policy for the NHS Confederation, the membership organisation that represents over 90 per cent of NHS organisations in the UK. His role is to influence health policy on behalf of members, develop policy positions on areas of key interest and speak on behalf of NHS organisations, particularly in the media. Nigel Edwards, who is an Honorary Visiting Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, was formerly the director of the London Health Economics Consortium which undertook high profile strategic health services research and consultancy in the UK and overseas. Before that, he was a senior manager in the NHS. Nigel Edwards has researched and written extensively on health service strategy and policy.
Lecturers
Luigi Bertinato
Dr. Luigi Bertinato (MD, PhD) has been Director of the Office for International Affairs at the Department of Health and Social Services of the Veneto Region, based in Venice since 1998. Previously he worked at WHO, at the Italian National Institute of Health and the Italian Agency for Regional Health Care Services, and the Technical Cabinet of the former Italian Minister of Health, Professor E. Guzzanti. Dr. Bertinato is a board member of several national and international bodies , including the WHO Regions for Health Network, the European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies and the Italian Society for Tropical Diseases. He is involved in a number of European health and social care projects, in the area of health policy, e-health, health promotion, and patient mobility.
Dr. Luigi Bertinato (MD, PhD) has been Director of the Office for International Affairs at the Department of Health and Social Services of the Veneto Region, based in Venice since 1998. Previously he worked at WHO, at the Italian National Institute of Health and the Italian Agency for Regional Health Care Services, and the Technical Cabinet of the former Italian Minister of Health, Professor E. Guzzanti. Dr. Bertinato is a board member of several national and international bodies , including the WHO Regions for Health Network, the European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies and the Italian Society for Tropical Diseases. He is involved in a number of European health and social care projects, in the area of health policy, e-health, health promotion, and patient mobility.
Jeni Bremner
Jeni Bremner has been Director at the European Health Management Association (EHMA) since 2007. She previously worked in the UK with the Local Government Association (LGA). Ms. Bremner has broad policy experience and during her time at the LGA managed their work in relation to health and social care, services for children and young people including education and Criminal Justice. Following a degree in philosophy she trained as a nurse and worked in the UK health service and the not-for-profit sector before joining local government in the 1990s. She has particular expertise in working across organizational boundaries, with a specialist focus on health services, the not-for-profit sector and government. Also a trained health economist, Ms.Bremner has worked in general health management and as a policy analyst both in the UK health service and for national and local government.
Jeni Bremner has been Director at the European Health Management Association (EHMA) since 2007. She previously worked in the UK with the Local Government Association (LGA). Ms. Bremner has broad policy experience and during her time at the LGA managed their work in relation to health and social care, services for children and young people including education and Criminal Justice. Following a degree in philosophy she trained as a nurse and worked in the UK health service and the not-for-profit sector before joining local government in the 1990s. She has particular expertise in working across organizational boundaries, with a specialist focus on health services, the not-for-profit sector and government. Also a trained health economist, Ms.Bremner has worked in general health management and as a policy analyst both in the UK health service and for national and local government.
Barrie Dowdeswell
Barrie Dowdeswell has an economics background. For 20 years he was a Chief Officer in the NHS culminating as CEO of one of the UK’s largest Teaching Hospital Trusts. He concurrently held appointments as non-executive director of national public health institutions and national research and education funding bodies and was member of a small operational advisory group to a former UK Minister of Health. Since leaving the NHS in 1998 Mr. Dowedeswell has been engaged in global health policy development, roles include: Executive Director of the European Health Property Network (EuHPN) ,Director of Research, European Centre for Health Assets and Architecture (ECHAA) and Associate of the Centre for Clinical Management Development, Durham University, UK. His current portfolio of work covers Europe and beyond in providing strategic advice on capital investment policy to governments at national, regional and municipal levels and at the European Commission. He has been responsible for directing a substantial range of research studies and publications
Barrie Dowdeswell has an economics background. For 20 years he was a Chief Officer in the NHS culminating as CEO of one of the UK’s largest Teaching Hospital Trusts. He concurrently held appointments as non-executive director of national public health institutions and national research and education funding bodies and was member of a small operational advisory group to a former UK Minister of Health. Since leaving the NHS in 1998 Mr. Dowedeswell has been engaged in global health policy development, roles include: Executive Director of the European Health Property Network (EuHPN) ,Director of Research, European Centre for Health Assets and Architecture (ECHAA) and Associate of the Centre for Clinical Management Development, Durham University, UK. His current portfolio of work covers Europe and beyond in providing strategic advice on capital investment policy to governments at national, regional and municipal levels and at the European Commission. He has been responsible for directing a substantial range of research studies and publications
Antonio Duran
Dr Duran, MD, is Director of the consulting firm Tecnicas de Salud which is specialized in Health Services Management, Health Policy, Operations Development, and Training and Human Resources Development. Dr. Duran has undertaken substantial consultancies in Poland, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia. He has and is implementing contracts with DFID, the World Bank, the International Development Bank and the European Commission and is a permanent senior consultant to the executive management of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. He is author of numerous books, and articles and has contributed to several publications of the European Observatory on Health Policies and Systems.
Dr Duran, MD, is Director of the consulting firm Tecnicas de Salud which is specialized in Health Services Management, Health Policy, Operations Development, and Training and Human Resources Development. Dr. Duran has undertaken substantial consultancies in Poland, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia. He has and is implementing contracts with DFID, the World Bank, the International Development Bank and the European Commission and is a permanent senior consultant to the executive management of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. He is author of numerous books, and articles and has contributed to several publications of the European Observatory on Health Policies and Systems.
Isabelle Durand-Zaleski
Professor Isabelle Durand-Zaleski (MD, PhD) works as Chief of Public Health at the Henri Mondor Hospital in Paris, France. She is in charge of developing methods to support clinical research, and for the assessment of new technologies, including economic assessments. She is also Professor of Medicine at the University of Paris where she teaches health economics and health technology assessment. Professor Durand-Zaleski has previously been Director of evaluation and health care coverage at the French National Health Authority. Professor Durand-Zaleski holds an MD, a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health, Health Policy and Management from the Harvard University in Boston and obtained her PhD in Economics. Her particular interests include health policy and political economy and the translation of research finding into policies and assessment of innovation in medicine.
Professor Isabelle Durand-Zaleski (MD, PhD) works as Chief of Public Health at the Henri Mondor Hospital in Paris, France. She is in charge of developing methods to support clinical research, and for the assessment of new technologies, including economic assessments. She is also Professor of Medicine at the University of Paris where she teaches health economics and health technology assessment. Professor Durand-Zaleski has previously been Director of evaluation and health care coverage at the French National Health Authority. Professor Durand-Zaleski holds an MD, a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health, Health Policy and Management from the Harvard University in Boston and obtained her PhD in Economics. Her particular interests include health policy and political economy and the translation of research finding into policies and assessment of innovation in medicine.
Nick Fahy
Nick Fahy is deputy head of the health strategy unit of the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of the European Commission, with particular responsibility for health systems. His previous experience within the Commission includes consumer protection, social protection and social exclusion issues. Before joining the European Commission he worked for the UK Department of Health on issues such as European affairs and pharmaceutical policy, and as private secretary to the then Minister of State for Public Health, Tessa Jowell MP. His university studies were in social, ethical and political philosophy.
Nick Fahy is deputy head of the health strategy unit of the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of the European Commission, with particular responsibility for health systems. His previous experience within the Commission includes consumer protection, social protection and social exclusion issues. Before joining the European Commission he worked for the UK Department of Health on issues such as European affairs and pharmaceutical policy, and as private secretary to the then Minister of State for Public Health, Tessa Jowell MP. His university studies were in social, ethical and political philosophy.
Josep Figueras
Josep Figueras is the Director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and head of the WHO European centre on health policy. He holds a Master in Public Health and a PhD from the London School of Economics. He held a lectureship at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and is honorary fellow of the UK faculty of public health medicine. He is editor of the European Observatory series published by Open University Press and co-editor of three of its volumes. He is also the author of key volumes in the field of health systems analysis.
Josep Figueras is the Director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and head of the WHO European centre on health policy. He holds a Master in Public Health and a PhD from the London School of Economics. He held a lectureship at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and is honorary fellow of the UK faculty of public health medicine. He is editor of the European Observatory series published by Open University Press and co-editor of three of its volumes. He is also the author of key volumes in the field of health systems analysis.
Niek Klazinga
Niek Klazinga has been professor of social medicine at the University of Amsterdam since 1999 and chair of the department of social medicine at the Academic Medical Centre. He previously worked as the chief scientific officer at the Dutch Institute for Quality Improvement in Health, responsible for quality assurance activities in hospitals. Professor Klazinga runs a masters programme on Health Services Research at the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences, as well as given numerous lectures on quality in health care, and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals on quality of care. His present research concentrates on the development and use of quality indicators and quality systems in health care systems. He chairs and is member of several governmental and international committees, including WHO and OECD, on quality of care and accreditation
Niek Klazinga has been professor of social medicine at the University of Amsterdam since 1999 and chair of the department of social medicine at the Academic Medical Centre. He previously worked as the chief scientific officer at the Dutch Institute for Quality Improvement in Health, responsible for quality assurance activities in hospitals. Professor Klazinga runs a masters programme on Health Services Research at the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences, as well as given numerous lectures on quality in health care, and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals on quality of care. His present research concentrates on the development and use of quality indicators and quality systems in health care systems. He chairs and is member of several governmental and international committees, including WHO and OECD, on quality of care and accreditation
Martin McKee
Martin McKee qualified in medicine with subsequent training in internal medicine and public health. As Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Martin co-directs the European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, a WHO Collaborating Centre that comprises the largest team of researchers working on health and health policy in central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He is also a research director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Professor McKee has published over 400 scientific papers and 23 books, is editor of the European Journal of Public Health and a member of numerous editorial boards, and editorial consultant to The Lancet. Professor McKee is also a member of numerous advisory boards in Europe and North America, in both the public and private sectors. His contributions to European health policy have been recognized by many outstanding medical and academic institutions across Europe. In 2005 Professor McKee was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
Martin McKee qualified in medicine with subsequent training in internal medicine and public health. As Professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Martin co-directs the European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, a WHO Collaborating Centre that comprises the largest team of researchers working on health and health policy in central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He is also a research director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Professor McKee has published over 400 scientific papers and 23 books, is editor of the European Journal of Public Health and a member of numerous editorial boards, and editorial consultant to The Lancet. Professor McKee is also a member of numerous advisory boards in Europe and North America, in both the public and private sectors. His contributions to European health policy have been recognized by many outstanding medical and academic institutions across Europe. In 2005 Professor McKee was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
Alexander S. Preker
Alexander S. Preker is lead Economist for Health, Nutrition, and Population in the World Bank, and is responsible for overseeing the Bank’s analytical work on health financing and provision. He coordinated the team that prepared the Bank’s 1997 Sector Strategy on health care in developing countries and was on the World Health Organization team that completed the World Health Report 2000 on health systems. Dr. Preker has published and taught extensively on topics related to health systems development. His training includes a Ph.D. in Economics, a Fellowship in Medicine, Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics, and a MD.
Alexander S. Preker is lead Economist for Health, Nutrition, and Population in the World Bank, and is responsible for overseeing the Bank’s analytical work on health financing and provision. He coordinated the team that prepared the Bank’s 1997 Sector Strategy on health care in developing countries and was on the World Health Organization team that completed the World Health Report 2000 on health systems. Dr. Preker has published and taught extensively on topics related to health systems development. His training includes a Ph.D. in Economics, a Fellowship in Medicine, Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics, and a MD.
Henny van Laarhoven
Henny van Laarhoven has been managing director of the Maaslandhospital for a number of years, and is the project director of the “Orbis Medical Park” (OMP). In January 2009 she will take up the appointment of director of the OMP to further refine and develop the new hospital and care concept in collaboration with private partners who are renting locations in the OMP. OMP is situated in Sittard Geleen in the South of Holland and will provide health care for 200.000 thousand people in the region. It will contain a 410 bed hospital, a mental healthcare hospital, a recovery and rehabilitation centre with 90 clinical beds and an integrated paramedic treatment centre.
Henny van Laarhoven has been managing director of the Maaslandhospital for a number of years, and is the project director of the “Orbis Medical Park” (OMP). In January 2009 she will take up the appointment of director of the OMP to further refine and develop the new hospital and care concept in collaboration with private partners who are renting locations in the OMP. OMP is situated in Sittard Geleen in the South of Holland and will provide health care for 200.000 thousand people in the region. It will contain a 410 bed hospital, a mental healthcare hospital, a recovery and rehabilitation centre with 90 clinical beds and an integrated paramedic treatment centre.
Erio Ziglio
Erio Ziglio is Head of the European Office for Investment for Health and Development at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Venice. Dr. Ziglio worked for the European Commission for three years before joining the WHO Regional Office for Europe in 1992. His field of expertise is decision-making applied to the area of health and social economic developments, social and economic determinants of health, futures’ research, and organizational development. Dr. Ziglio holds an honorary professorship from the University of York; has been a lecturer at Yale University, USA; and an honorary research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Ziglio has a degree in medical sociology, post-graduate studies in evaluation research and a Ph.D. in social policy from the University of Edinburgh.
Erio Ziglio is Head of the European Office for Investment for Health and Development at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Venice. Dr. Ziglio worked for the European Commission for three years before joining the WHO Regional Office for Europe in 1992. His field of expertise is decision-making applied to the area of health and social economic developments, social and economic determinants of health, futures’ research, and organizational development. Dr. Ziglio holds an honorary professorship from the University of York; has been a lecturer at Yale University, USA; and an honorary research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Ziglio has a degree in medical sociology, post-graduate studies in evaluation research and a Ph.D. in social policy from the University of Edinburgh.
