Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH
Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH, is the executive director at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). She is a cardiologist and health services researcher with a distinguished career leading key scientific initiatives engaging patients, clinicians and other health care stakeholders at some of the nation’s largest health research funders.
Cook leads PCORI’s research, engagement, dissemination and implementation, and research infrastructure development work. She also provides oversight to a growing number of programs and initiatives designed to create a more efficient, effective, equitable and patient-centered system of health. Under her leadership, and with extensive engagement of stakeholders, PCORI established a bold strategic vision to address the challenges, including social determinants of health, facing patients and communities in our nation’s complex, fast-changing health system.
Prior to her current role, Cook served as senior scientific officer and chief of staff at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the third largest institute of the National Institutes of Health. At NHLBI, she spearheaded the development and implementation of its strategic plan as well as initiatives in cardiovascular outcomes, precision medicine, data science, sickle cell disease and women’s health.
Throughout her career, Cook has worked to enhance diversity and equity in research and care delivery and has been a leader in efforts to reduce disparities in health access and outcomes. She has received numerous awards for her excellence in clinical teaching and mentorship as well as her leadership of complex scientific initiatives and programs.
Cook earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Public Health in health care policy and management from Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her clinical training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and is an alumna of the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy.
Leadership PerspectivesFebruary 2024: A New Year, New Opportunities: Looking Ahead to 2024 and Beyond November 2023: Patient-Centered Research Is Critical to Enhancing Care Coordination |
Public Speaking & PresentationsAspen Institute Event Health Affairs Policy Spotlight Axios Interview: Overcoming Healthcare Hurdles AAAS Science Webinar Series New England Journal of Medicine Perspective Roundtable PCORI Annual Meeting Keynote with Vivian Pinn |
Select PublicationsCook N. Pursuing Health Care Value Post-COVID-19: Keep The Focus on Patients. Health Affairs Blog. November 18, 2021 Cook, NL, Lauer MS. Biomedical Research COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs. NAM Perspectives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of Medicine. 26 Jul. 2021. Cook, NL, Clauser SB, Shifreen A, Parry C. Reconceptualizing Care Transitions Research From the Patient Perspective. Medical Care. 2021; 59:S398-S400. Cook, NL. Embracing Differences to Advance a Contemporary Understanding of Symptom Phenotypes in Acute Myocardial Infarction. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2020;13(2):e006431. Cook NL. Bridging the sex gap in early myocardial infarction mortality: Why it matters. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2017;10:e004334. |
Select Honors and AwardsCook Named Among Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2023* Cook Named 2020 Wenger Award Honoree *This link may require a subscription or membership login. |
PCORI VideosPCORI's Mission to Help People Make Informed Healthcare Decisions PCORI's Commitment to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
Conflicts of Interest
As of June 30, 2023
Financial or Business Associations:
- None reported.
Personal Associations:
- American College of Cardiology, Fellow, Self
- Association of Black Cardiologists, Member, Self
- American Medical Association, Member, Self
- American Heart Association, Fellow, Self
- National Clinical Scholars Program, Board Member, Self
- National Clinical Scholars Program, Board Member, Self
Tags
- PCORI Staff