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halpernm@uthscsa.edu

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Cancer

Michael T. Halpern, Ph.D., M.D., M.P.H.

Chair, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Administration

Professor

Michael T. Halpern, Ph.D., M.D., M.P.H., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Administration at UT School of Public Health San Antonio. Dr. Halpern is a respected public health leader, catalyst for change, and visionary researcher with an exemplary career spanning national institutions, academia, and private sector research organizations. He is also renowned for driving applied research initiatives that inform policymaking, receiving funding for critical healthcare research, and advocating for equitable access to high-quality, patient-centered medical care.

➤ Research Focus: Pioneering health outcomes and health services research spanning data science, health equity, quality of care, health economics, epidemiology, program evaluation, and implementation science.
➤ Strategic Leadership: Dedicated to advancing health outcomes and reducing disparities, elevating research agendas, forging global partnerships, and promoting environments of excellence, growth, and inclusion.
➤ Fundraising Success: Orchestrated the successful procurement of millions in grant funding over the past decade, driving health outcomes research initiatives with tangible societal impact.
➤ Publication Record: Authored 250 publications, including Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles, Book Chapters, Monographs, Reports, and Other Publications on new insights, shaping health policy and patient-centered care.
➤ Distinguished Presenter: Thought leader, speaker, presenter, and chair for prestigious national public health organizations, demonstrating expertise in healthcare on the global stage.

Dr. Halpern received his MD and PhD through the University of Michigan’s Medical Scientist Training Program; he also received an MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining UTSPHSA, served as the Medical Officer at the Healthcare Assessment Research Branch, Healthcare Delivery Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. He also previously served as a Collaborating Member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Principal Scientist at RTI International, and Strategic Director for Health Services Research of the American Cancer Society.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1992 - MD - Medicine - The University of Michigan Medical School
    • 1992 - Ph.D. - Cellular and Molecular Biology - The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    • 1992 - MP.H. - Epidemiology - The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    • 1984 - BA - Physics and Psychology - Cornell University

    Highlights

    • 2023 - present, Fellow - American Society of Clinical Oncology
    • 2017 - present, Fellow -  College of Physicians of Philadelphia

    Appointments

    • 2024 - Chair - Department of Health Policy and Health Services Administration - UT School of Public Health San Antonio
    • 2024 - Professor - UT School of Public Health San Antonio
    • 2019 - 2024 - Medical Officer - Healthcare Assessment Research Branch, Healthcare Delivery Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health
    • 2016 - 2019 - Associate Professor (with Tenure) and Graduate Program Director - Health Services Administration and Policy, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia
    • 2014 - 2016 - Associate Professor (with Tenure) and Section Chair - Public Health Policy and Management Section, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson
    • 2008 - 2019 - Senior Fellow/Principal Scientist - RTI International, Division of Social Policy, Health, and Economics Research, Washington DC
    • 2006 - 2008 - Strategic Director, Health Services Research - merican Cancer Society, Atlanta

  • Research & Grants

    Research Focus:

    • Health Services Research
      • Focus on access to care, quality of care, disparities, treatment patterns, health economics, and patient outcomes 

  • Service

    Service to the Profession

    Professional Activities

    • 2023, Member, Virginia Survivorship Cancer Taskforce, Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia
    • 2022, Senior Editor, Cancer Health Economics Research: Past, Present, and Future. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monograph, Issue 59.
    • 2022, Contributor, NCI Tobacco Control Monograph 23: Treating Smoking in Cancer Patients: An Essential,Component of Cancer Care
    • 2021 - present, Editorial Board, Journal of the National Cancer Institute
    • 2021 - present, Member, NCI Cancer Prevention Fellow Program Scientific Education Committee
    • 2021 - 2023, Section Editor-in-Chief for Health Economics, Current Oncology
    • 2021 - present, Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Public Health
    • 2019 - present, NCI Healthcare Delivery Research Program Representative, American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, Quality Integration Committee

    Professional  Memberships

    • American Society of Clinical Oncology
    • Clinical Oncology Society of Australia
    • College of Physicians of Philadelphia
    • Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia

  • Publications