Ramon S. Cancino, MD, MBA, MS, FAAFP, executive director of the UT Health San Antonio Primary Care Center and senior medical director of medical management, has recently been appointed to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Standing Committee on Primary Care.
The committee consists of primary care, research and policy experts, whose goal is to help inform the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Initiative for Strengthening Primary Health Care. This initiative was launched following the 2021 NASEM report Implementing High-Quality Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care and is a coordinated effort across agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture.
“High-quality primary care is the foundation of a high-functioning health care system and is critical for enhancing patient and caregiver experience, improving population health, reducing unnecessary costs, and improving the health care team experience,” said Cancino. “Primary care is foundational but needs change to truly meet the needs of patients and its workforce. This committee will systematically identify priority areas where we as a country can begin taking action on meaningful, sustainable, and thoughtful change.”
With more than ten years of health care experience, Cancino has led in all aspects of primary care, including value-based care, cancer prevention and screening and workforce development. His research interests include utilization and quality measurement, the use of novel cancer screening strategies, and digital health.
Standing committee members will provide regular surveillance of the primary care field, review published studies and identify changes in clinical practices and policies. During public meetings, the committee will discuss relevant data and information and will serve as a focal point for discussions on priorities in primary care.