Chief Health Officer Aaron Carroll will leave Indiana University later this spring to serve as president and CEO of AcademyHealth.

Aaron Carroll.

Together with its members, AcademyHealth works to improve health and the performance of the health system by supporting the production and use of evidence to inform policy and practice. The leading national organization serving the fields of health services and policy research, AcademyHealth strives to increase the quality, accessibility and value of health care, to reduce disparities and to improve health.

“I am immensely grateful to Dr. Carroll for his extraordinary service to Indiana University and, most importantly, for his determined focus on the well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” Indiana University President Pamela Whitten said. “From his decades-long record of research excellence to his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his extensive efforts to expand mental health resources across the university, Aaron’s impact at IU will stand for many years to come.”

Carroll will assume his new role at AcademyHealth on March 18. More details about the transition plan will be shared in the weeks to come.

“In my more than 20 years at Indiana University, I have been privileged to work with so many extraordinary faculty, staff and students focused on the health and well-being of our school, community and world,” Carroll said. “As I move to AcademyHealth, I carry with me the lessons and insights gained here, and remain committed to fostering environments where evidence and research lead the way in health policy and practice. IU will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to seeing its continued growth and impact in the years to come.”

Carroll is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics in the IU School of Medicine, in addition to his university-wide role as chief health officer. He is also associate dean for research mentoring and the past director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research at the School of Medicine.

He earned a B.A. in chemistry from Amherst College, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and an M.S. in health services from the University of Washington School of Public Health, where he was also a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar. In addition, he previously served as vice president for faculty development at the Regenstrief Institute. His research focuses on the study of information technology to improve pediatric care, decision analysis, and areas of health policy including cost-effectiveness of care and health care financing reform.

He is also a well-known science communicator, the author of multiple books, a frequent contributor to The New York Times and co-editor-in-chief of the blog The Incidental Economist. His publications as well as his Healthcare Triage YouTube series and podcast have educated and entertained millions of readers and viewers.