Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars Program

The Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars Program was established in 2010 through the generous support of Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern and their family foundation. The program educates and mentors the next generation of clinically trained, doctoral-level fellows and junior faculty in health services research. It addresses the critical need for a specialized workforce at Mayo Clinic that is committed to conducting high-quality, practice-based health services research to enhance healthcare delivery.

The Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars Program aims to transform healthcare from within. It produces highly motivated, exceptionally trained clinicians with robust research skills, protected time and proven scholarly track records. It emphasizes evidence-informed, patient-centered healthcare and recognizes that such care requires a thorough assessment of current healthcare delivery systems and processes, rigorous testing of different care models, and the application of best practices to improve those systems.

Health services research harnesses the disciplines of the social sciences, including epidemiology, economics and sociology, as well as statistics, engineering and other applied sciences, to achieve these objectives. The Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars Program furthers Mayo Clinic's strategic goals by:

  • Reimagining the delivery of healthcare with collaborative, multifaceted solutions that address outcomes, experience, costs of care, staff resiliency and health equity.
  • Developing leaders able to leverage artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to meet the needs of patients today and in the future.
  • Equipping clinicians to collaborate in rigorous data discovery and analyses, leading to the development, evaluation and implementation of evidence-based healthcare improvements.

Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars not only expand their knowledge and capabilities but also advocate for the continuous improvement and transformational innovation inherent to a learning health system. Their work is instrumental in championing the mindset and innovation required for a progressive health system that continually adapts and improves.

Contact

Timothy D. Lyon, M.D.

Aaron C. Spaulding, Ph.D.

Kern Health Care Delivery Scholars

New scholar cohorts begin every year in July. Each scholar is asked to share something about themselves and their motivations for the program. Those interviews are linked to their names below.

  1. Yan Bi, M.D., Ph.D.

    Consultant, Gastroenterology and Hepatology

    Observing cancer disease progression using wearable devices and artificial intelligence to monitor biometrics; developing a real-time scoring system to quantify pancreatic cancer risk in the general population

  2. Victor G. Chedid, M.D., M.S.

    Consultant, Gastroenterology and Hepatology

    Developing a prospective inflammatory bowel disease registry of individuals of diverse sexualities and gender identities

  3. Gustavo A. Cortes Puentes, M.D.

    Consultant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

    Studying changes in pulmonary function in gender-affirming therapy; finding personalized approaches to pulmonary function testing in transgender and gender diverse patients

  4. Madiha Iqbal, M.B.B.S., M.D.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Hematology-Oncology

    Evaluating an innovative health care delivery model to improve quality of life and patient safety outcomes in patients with severe autoimmune disease undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation

  5. Sarayna S. McGuire, M.D.

    Sarayna S. McGuire, M.D.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Emergency Medicine

    Improving the healthcare environment by developing an innovative process that leverages AI and automation to reduce the likelihood of workplace violence

  6. Allyson K. Palmer, M.D., Ph.D.

    Allyson K. Palmer, M.D., Ph.D.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Hospital Internal Medicine

    Using electroencephalography to achieve accurate and timely detection of delirium in acute care settings

  7. Tyler S. Oesterle, M.D., M.P.H.

    Consultant, Psychiatry and Psychology

    Focusing on the digital delivery of substance use disorder services

  8. Annie M. Rusk, M.D.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

    Addressing respiratory health inequities in Indigenous North Americans, with a focus on chronic obstructive lung disease risk factors and advancing individualized medicine for Indigenous people

  9. Surbhi Shah, M.B.B.S.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Hematology-Oncology

    Creating a learning health system for implementing anticoagulation stewardship with a focus on direct oral anticoagulants

  10. June Tome, M.D.

    June Tome, M.D.

    Resident, Gastroenterology

    Determining the utility of intestinal ultrasound for diagnosing pouchitis in patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

  11. Mazie Tsang, M.D.

    Mazie Tsang, M.D.

    Senior Associate Consultant, Hematology-Oncology

    Incorporating geriatric and supportive care principles into decision-making process for older adults with low-grade (indolent) lymphomas

  12. Hanyin Wang, M.D.

    Hanyin Wang, M.D.

    Consultant, Hospital Internal Medicine

    Exploring the implications of AI, particularly large language models, on healthcare workflows