Altarum Author: 

Michael D. Parkinson, M.D.

Michael D. Parkinson, M.D.
Michael D. Parkinson, M.D.
Altarum Institute Distinguished Scholar

Dr. Parkinson is the former President of the American College of Preventive Medicine, the national medical specialty society of physicians trained in and committed to disease prevention, health promotion, and systems-based approaches to improving health and health care.  His healthcare delivery and payment innovation strategic partnerships include UPMC Health Plan; Limeade (health and productivity assessment and improvement); Welvie (surgery benefit management, decision and safety support); EHE International (preventive care delivery/payment model); and Simulearn (interpersonal skills, influence and leadership simulations).

Dr. Parkinson formerly was Executive Vice President, Chief Health and Medical Officer of Lumenos, a pioneer of consumer-driven health plans and a subsidiary of Wellpoint. He was responsible for the development and implementation of an integrated and incentivized health improvement strategy employing evidence-based prevention, care management, account-based benefit designs, employer partnership, and consumer engagement.

A retired Air Force colonel, Dr. Parkinson’s final assignment on active duty was associate director of medical programs and resources in the Office of the Surgeon General where he was responsible for policy and planning for a $4 billion budget, over 2 million beneficiaries, and 70 health facilities. He also served as chief of preventive medicine while in the Air Force. While assigned to the US Public Health Service, he provided oversight of federal programs in public health, geriatrics, and preventive medicine training.

Dr. Parkinson has served on the National Advisory Committee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Purchasing Institute assisting employers to purchase higher quality care.  He was vice chair of the American Board of Preventive Medicine and a member of the Residency Review Committee.  Other appointments included the Institute of Medicine Committee reviewing NASA employee health programs. Currently, he serves on the U.S. Department of Defense Defense Health Board and is serving as faculty for the 14-cities Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Aligning Forces for Quality” project. Additional work includes service as a member of the editorial boards of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and the American Journal of Medical Quality.

Dr. Parkinson is a recipient of the Air Force Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Preventive Medicine, and the Distinguished Recent Graduate Award from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, his M.D. from George Washington University, and his masters of public health at Johns Hopkins.