July/August 2026 Experts Highlights & Announcements

Becker named director of Medical School Health Policy and Health Economics Path of Excellence

Nora Becker, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine, will lead the Health Policy & Economics Path of Excellence, one of eight Paths of Excellence at the U-M Medical School. Sponsored by IHPI, the path prepares medical students to analyze healthcare challenges and opportunities and engage in real-world approaches to health policy and health economics within the broader healthcare systems framework.

Pierce named Distinguished University Professor

Lori Pierce, M.D., professor of radiation oncology, has been named one of six 2026 U-M Distinguished Professors in recognition of her outstanding teaching and service. Each professorship bears a name selected by the appointed professor in consultation with their dean. Pierce will hold the title of Allen S. Lichter Distinguished University Professor of Radiation Oncology.

Moniz joins MPrOVE as co-director

Michelle Moniz, M.D., M.Sc., FACOG, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, joins the Michigan Program on Value Enhancement (MPrOVE) as a co-director, working alongside Geoff Barnes, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor of internal medicine, to lead MPrOVE’s efforts to reduce low-value care and improve healthcare quality. Moniz brings extensive experience in delivering high-value OB-GYN care, leading statewide quality-improvement initiatives through the Obstetrics Initiative (OBI), and translating research into meaningful improvements in patient care and health policy.
 

Pleasant named medical director of Healthcare Equity Consult Service 

Versha Pleasant, M.D., M.P.H., clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, will guide the U-M Health's Healthcare Equity Consult Service’s clinical and strategic direction, build relationships across the health system, and identify opportunities for education, policy, and care improvement. She succeeds interim director Susan Dorr Goold, M.D., MHSA, M.A., professor of internal medicine. 

Tipirneni named RWJF Health Policy Fellow

Renuka Tipirneni, M.D., M.Sc., an associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, was selected by the National Academy of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as one of eight RWJF Health Policy Fellows for 2026-2027. She will spend a year alongside other fellows immersed in health policy before serving as a senior adviser to elected or appointed federal leaders in the legislative or executive branch.