Tufts Medical Center announced today that experienced physician, researcher and leader John Wong, Chief of the Division of Clinical Decision Making at Tufts MC, has been named Interim Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), effective June 8, 2020. Dr. Wong will oversee the $50 million annual research enterprise at Tufts Medical Center, including its three primary areas - health sciences/health policy research, clinical research and basic research.
Dr. Wong has cared for patients and conducted cutting-edge research at Tufts Medical Center for more than 30 years, holding Department of Medicine roles as Chief of the Division of Clinical Decision Making since 1996 and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs since 2019. Dr. Wong also has been the Director of Comparative Effectiveness Research for the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) since 2012 and holds the title of Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. He previously served as the President of the Society for Medical Decision Making from 2001-2004 and has been a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force since 2018.
“Dr. Wong is thoughtful and deliberate and has long been highly respected among his researcher peers. His knowledge and understanding of our research enterprise is extensive and deep,” said Michael Apkon, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center. “We couldn’t ask for a more qualified leader to balance welcoming back the research teams on site and helping establish a “new normal,” while meeting the organization’s strategic goals and growing our research enterprise.”
Dr. Wong’s extensive body of work has resulted in more than 300 publications - including research papers, editorials, books and chapters - focused on the application of decision analysis to medical issues to help patients, clinicians and policymakers choose from among alternative tests, treatments and policies. Most recently, Dr. Wong provided modeling on acute care and critical care bed and ventilator needs that helped guide Tufts MC in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These projections also helped inform the institution’s personnel preparations, including training and staffing.
“Tufts Medical Center has an exemplary history of outstanding investigators and groundbreaking, innovative research, and I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to provide stewardship for the continuation of that tradition,” said Dr. Wong. “It’s a true privilege to interact with and support researchers and hospital leadership in their mission to catalyze innovative advances in basic science and clinical, translational and health policy research to enhance patient-centered care.”
Dr. Wong received a Bachelor of Science with honors from Haverford College and earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and a National Library of Medicine-sponsored Medical Informatics fellowship in Clinical Decision Making at Tufts Medical Center. He makes his home in Belmont, MA.
