The New America Foundation today announced Kavita Patel, M.D., as the new director of the foundation's Health Policy Program.  Dr. Patel, a practicing physician with health care policy experience at the White House and U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, assumed leadership of the program this week.

"Kavita is a stellar talent in this field," New America President Steve Coll said.  "Her unique combination of policy expertise, academic research, and hands-on clinical experience make her the ideal leader as we shift our focus to the complex challenges of implementing federal reform."

Dr. Patel, who also holds a Masters in Public Health, most recently served as Director of Policy for the Obama White House's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.  She was Deputy Staff Director for Health under Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) from 2007-2009, and has also worked with the RAND Corporation, UCLA, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Oregon Health and Sciences University. 

"I'm very excited to be working with New America at this critical juncture," Dr. Patel said.  "The Health Policy Program has played a huge role in shaping and advancing the reform debate.  Now we face new challenges -- both with implementation of these reforms and the next generation of policy questions -- and I fully expect New America to be driving those conversations as well.”

Dr. Patel succeeds Len Nichols, who headed the Health Policy program from 2005 until February 2010, when he left to direct George Mason University's Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics.  Acting Director Julie Barnes, who was Deputy Director prior to Nichols' departure, will return to that role under Dr. Patel.

"New America is in an excellent position to serve as the translator of federal reform to state governments and other stakeholders that desperately need guidance on this multifaceted legislation," Barnes said. "Kavita was a major player in the Senate and the Administration during a critical time of the debate.  She understands the goals behind the policy well, and the fact that she is a clinician gives her tremendous credibility as a thought leader who will help drive the challenging work of implementation."

For interviews with Dr. Patel, please contact Media Relations Manager Kate Brown at 202-596-3365 or brown@newamerica.net.