Personalized Medicine Coalition Announces Two New Board Members
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The Personalized Medicine Coalition (PMC) has announced the appointment of Steven D. Averbuch, M.D., Vice President, Translational Clinical Development & Pharmacodiagnostics, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Michael Kolodziek, M.D., National Medical Director, Oncology Solutions, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Aetna to the Coalition's board of directors for a three-year term beginning November 2013.
"With the election of these two leaders in personalized medicine - one a drug developer and the other from the payer community - PMC is well positioned to help define the future of medical progress," said Edward Abrahams, Ph.D., President, PMC.
"Over the years, the PMC has been a leader in creating awareness, facilitating stakeholder dialogue and providing roadmaps toward establishing a health care system that embraces personalized medicine," says Averbuch. "It is clear that the PMC membership is working toward a common goal to improve patient outcomes and I am honored to be given the opportunity to contribute toward this goal as a member of the Board."
In his role with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Averbuch works to optimize knowledge sharing and biomarker tools across all of R&D and is responsible for executing the integrated co-development of diagnostic tests as companions to the company's products.
Averbuch previously held senior level R&D positions at Merck Research Laboratories, AstraZeneca, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and is the co-author on one patent.
Kolodziej leads the strategic development, design and implementation of Aetna's evidence-based, patient-focused cancer care programs. Previous positions include partner at New York Oncology, chairman of the US Oncology Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and Medical Director for Oncology Services for US Oncology.
Kolodziej has published several manuscripts and given many presentations on cost of cancer care, oncology reimbursement reform, and use of evidence based treatment guidelines to control cost care in oncology.
"I am honored to serve on the board of the Personalized Medicine Coalition. Personalized medicine has the potential to revolutionize health care. We will enter a new era where care is truly patient-focused and patient-specific. The Personalized Medicine Coalition will be a leader in charting the course," says Kolodziej.
The appointments are in conjunction with the expiring terms of Joanne Armstrong, M.D., M.P.H., Aetna, and Nancy Simonian, M.D., Syros Pharmaceutical Inc., who will rotate off the board at year-end 2013.
