Name, Credentials:  Tom Granatir

Job Title:  Senior Vice President for Policy and External Relations

Company / Organization:  American Board of Medical Specialties

City, State:  Chicago, IL

Website:   www.abms.org

Phone:  (312) 436-2683

Email:  tgranatir@abms.org

Education: 

AB, Disciplines of the Humanities, with a focus in philosophy and French literature, University of Chicago

AM, Committee on Public Policy Studies, health policy and program evaluation focus, University of Chicago

How long have you worked for your current company or organization?  5 years

What are your primary duties in this position?  Responsible for state and federal policy development and strategic relationships in the private and public sector.

About my career:  I work in health policy, with a particular focus on quality and public accountability. Over the past 25 years I've worked in mental health policy for the state of Illinois; hospital policy for the American Hospital Association, the Health Research and Educational Trust, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; long-term care policy for the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group; and in public health policy for Humana Inc., both in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

What career advice would you like to share with graduate students seeking careers in your field?  The Ph.D. skill level is valued in consulting (management consulting, health policy  consulting, etc.), throughout the non-profit sector (professional societies, trade organizations), and in health care organizations of all kinds (insurance companies, hospitals, specialty practices).  When job searching, think of your social science knowledge and research skills broadly.  It is wise to develop a mix of both quantitative and qualitative research experience.  Evaluation research skills are also prized.  But you should think beyond research.  Your Ph.D. will speak to a level of intellectual maturity that will make you eligible for management jobs in quality improvement, organizational development, professional training and development, CRM, or stakeholder management

Ways I am involved with SPSSI:   Read newsletters / mailings / website; Network with other members