UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has named health economist Christopher Hollenbeak head of the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development. His appointment is effective Aug. 15.
Hollenbeak joins the department after serving as a faculty member in the Penn State College of Medicine since 2000. Most recently he served as professor of surgery and public health sciences for the Penn State College of Medicine. He is also chief of the Division of Outcomes Research and Quality and associate director of the Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics.
As a health economist, Hollenbeak has extensive research expertise in health services and outcomes research with a particular emphasis on resource utilization in surgery. His research is directed at public health and clinical audiences and attempts to inform clinical decision making and public policy.
Hollenbeak has published more than 200 articles appearing in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine and Health Affairs. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and numerous pharmaceutical companies.
“Chris will be a great leader for the department. He is a committed and productive researcher with a strong history of interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring others,” said Ann C. Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development.
Additionally, Crouter said Hollenbeak will help link the department and college to colleagues in the College of Medicine and at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
“I also appreciate some of the personal qualities that he brings to the position — a positive view of the world, strong interpersonal skills, and a good sense of humor are great qualities for departmental leaders,” Crouter said. “I look forward to working with him.”
Hollenbeak serves on several editorial boards, including the American Journal of Medical Quality, PharamcoEconomics, and Heart & Lung.
“The department has been fortunate to have spectacular leadership from people like Dennis Shea, Diane Brannon and Marianne Hillemeier,” Hollenbeak said. “My goals as department head are to continue to move the department in the direction it has been heading by increasing the visibility and success of our undergraduate programs, our professional programs, and our graduate programs; and helping facilitate health services and policy research that improves the costs, quality and access to health care for patients and populations.”
Hollenbeak earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Brigham Young University, and his master’s degree and doctoral degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis.
Marianne Hillemeier, current department head, will continue as a faculty member and remain involved in the department as she conducts research.