NORC Welcomes Laura Hatfield as Senior Fellow in Statistics & Data Science
CHICAGO, September 24, 2024 — NORC at the University of Chicago is pleased to announce that Laura Hatfield has joined the organization as a senior fellow in the Statistics & Data Science (SDS) department.
Hatfield is a renowned expert in biostatistics and health care policy. Her work has advanced statistical methods that inform decision-making by combining modern causal inference tools with big data to answer policy-relevant questions. Her expertise also spans several critical areas, including quantifying variation and causal inference.
Hatfield has developed statistical tools to reveal patterns of variation, identify subgroups, and quantify tradeoffs in health care measures. These techniques can point decision-makers toward targets for intervention in health care systems. Her current research in this area extends network analysis methods to account for complex dependence structures in models for oncology care.
“All of us will eventually interact with the health care system, and many of us find those experiences frustrating. I am inspired to use statistical methods to uncover places in the system where decision-makers might intervene to improve health care access, quality, and outcomes.”
“Laura’s ability to bridge advanced statistical methodologies with practical, policy-relevant applications is truly exceptional,” said SDS senior vice president Edward Mulrow. “Her work not only pushes the boundaries of statistical science but also directly contributes to improving health care. We are fortunate to have her join NORC, and I’m confident she will play a vital role in driving forward our mission of using data and research to create meaningful change.”
In addition to her methodological innovations, Hatfield has contributed significantly to health policy and health services research. Her applied research spans topics from price transparency and bundled payments to hospitalist models and prenatal care. She also provides statistical leadership for the International Health Systems Research Collaborative, a network of teams from 11 countries that studies variation in hospital care.
She also leads the Data and Methods Cores of two National Institutes of Health-funded Program Project grants, one on patient care and outcomes in a changing Medicare program, and the other on integration in the cancer care delivery system.
“All of us will eventually interact with the health care system, and many of us find those experiences frustrating. I am inspired to use statistical methods to uncover places in the system where decision-makers might intervene to improve health care access, quality, and outcomes,” said Hatfield. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive impactful research and contribute to NORC’s efforts in advancing equitable and efficient health care solutions.”
Prior to joining NORC, Hatfield was an associate professor of health care policy (biostatistics) at Harvard Medical School. Hatfield holds a BS in genetics from Iowa State University and a PhD in biostatistics from the University of Minnesota.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society.
Contact: For more information, please contact Eric Young at NORC at young-eric@norc.org or (703) 217-6814 (cell).