Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR)

A multidisciplinary health services research unit, based in the Division of General Pediatrics, that brings together faculty from multiple pediatric subspecialty disciplines, other departments from the school of medicine and across the University of Michigan to address the most pressing child health issues of the day. 

The center is designed to be entrepreneurial and flexible. While rare in a University system, this type of structure is an essential asset. It allows the center to identify current and topical issues, analyze the policy implications of health care utilization and cost data, and to engage in evaluations that keep pace with the programs, issues, changes, and decisions to be made in health care. CHEAR is able to bring research-based evaluations and findings to bear on efforts to support and reform policies so that “best practices” are actually used in the organization, financing, and delivery of child health care.