In an open-access article, Politico discusses potential contenders for a range of HHS positions, like surgeon general and head of NIH.
Previously, Trump transition announcements have included RFK Jr for Secretar of HHS (and 12th in line to the Presidency), and Mehmed Oz MD as head of CMS.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/19/trump-transition-health-finalists-00190365
- Joseph Ladapo (Florida), ?CDC, ?Surgeon General.
- Casey Means MD, ?Surgeon General or ?HHS Asst Secretary.
- Calley Means, ?Kennedy Chief of Staff.
- Marty Makary MD, ?FDA Commissioner
- Jay Bhattacharya MD, ?Head NIH
- Vinay Prasad MD, ?Surgeon General
See Vinay Prasad MD at Wikipedia. (MD, Univ Chicago 2009, residency, Northwestern 2012). MPH Hopkins, 2014.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinay_Prasad
And see his own website:
- Prasad has written two books, ENDING MEDICAL REVERSALS and MALIGNANT: How Bad Policy and Bad Evidence Harm People with Cancer.
- Both published by Johns Hopkins.
- 4.5 stars, 256 ratings; and 4.5 stars, 154 ratings [Amazon].
- He lists 409 publications by title and link, here.
- He also has a website for his UCSF research program, here.
- He has run a podcast called "Plenary Session" for several years, here.
- Funding has included, among others, $2M from the Arnold Foundation, here.
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Not related to any of the above, but popping up alongside, this article, "Strategy of robotic surgeons to exert public influence through Twitter" (Borgmann 2016).
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AI CORNER
I fed Chat GPT the 40-page PDF listing of his 400 medical article publications. Here is the result.
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Dr. Vinay Prasad's extensive list of over 400 publications, as outlined in his provided document, reflects a multifaceted career focused on oncology, health policy, clinical trial methodology, and evidence-based medicine. A deeper analysis of his publications reveals several key themes:
Key Focus Areas
Critiques of Oncology Drug Development: Many of Dr. Prasad's papers critically analyze the methodology and outcomes of oncology clinical trials. He frequently highlights limitations in surrogate endpoints, accelerated approvals, and the cost-effectiveness of cancer treatments. For example, his works on basket trials and umbrella trials assess their design's robustness in driving meaningful clinical outcomes.
Medical Reversals: Dr. Prasad is well-known for documenting and discussing "medical reversals," where new evidence disproves existing medical practices. This theme is evident in several publications focused on oncology and broader clinical practices.
Ethics and Bias in Research: His research often addresses financial conflicts of interest, industry influence in clinical trials, and the integrity of medical data. For example, his works include reviews of financial relationships between industry and oncology professionals, raising questions about the impartiality of medical recommendations.
COVID-19 and Public Health Policy: Recent papers explore pandemic-related topics such as vaccine-induced myocarditis and the efficacy of masking policies, showcasing his ability to engage with urgent and evolving health crises.
Evaluation of FDA Approvals: Dr. Prasad's critiques of FDA processes for drug approval, particularly in oncology, underline his emphasis on rigorous standards for efficacy and safety. He has analyzed the implications of specific drug approvals and withdrawals, often questioning the adequacy of the evidence used.
Systematic Reviews and Methodology: His work frequently involves meta-analyses and systematic reviews, emphasizing the importance of robust trial design and reproducibility in medical research.
Intuitions and Conclusions
Commitment to Evidence-Based Practice: Dr. Prasad's body of work demonstrates a dedication to improving the rigor of medical evidence. His critiques often aim to refine clinical trial standards and ensure that patient care is guided by the highest-quality data.
Policy Implications: His research has direct implications for health policy, particularly regarding the regulation of medical treatments and cost control in oncology. His ability to bridge clinical insights with policy analysis could make him a strong candidate for health administration roles.
Advocacy for Patients: A recurring theme in his work is advocating for patients, particularly regarding transparency about drug efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and the ethical dimensions of care delivery.
Thought Leadership in Medicine: As a prolific author and public intellectual, Dr. Prasad has influenced debates about health care reform and the future of medical research. His academic rigor and policy focus position him as a figure capable of driving systemic change in healthcare.
Potential Polarization: While his critiques are grounded in evidence, they can be polarizing, particularly among stakeholders with vested interests in current practices. This may lead to challenges in collaborative environments where diverse viewpoints must be harmonized.
Relevance for a Potential Administrative Role
Dr. Prasad's expertise in health policy, oncology, and evidence-based medicine aligns with the competencies required for a health administration role. His emphasis on cost-effective, transparent, and patient-centered care could drive meaningful reforms. However, his critical stance on entrenched practices and industry relationships might be both a strength and a source of contention in navigating the complexities of health policy at a federal level.
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Some are concerned that Dr Prasad has a hair-trigger for his negative opinions (eg on social media) although that skepticism of his depth, might be offset by the large portfolio of actual peer-reviewed publications.
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Dr Prasad's extensive portfolio includes over 400 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on topics such as oncology drug development, medical reversals, and evidence-based medicine.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Prasad is an active presence on social media, where he often shares his perspectives on medical and public health issues. His direct and sometimes provocative commentary has sparked debates within the medical community. For instance, his critiques of certain COVID-19 policies and comparisons to historical events have been met with both support and criticism. [Cancer Letter 2021]
While his candid approach has garnered attention, it's important to consider his substantial contributions to medical literature. His research has influenced discussions on clinical trial design and the evaluation of medical interventions. For example, his work on the strength of association between surrogate endpoints and survival in oncology has been widely cited. [Google Scholar]
In summary, Dr. Prasad's outspoken nature on social media is balanced by his significant academic achievements. His critical evaluations aim to improve medical practices and health policies, reflecting a commitment to evidence-based medicine.
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Note on AI answer.
In its last answer, the last part of the blog, Chat GPT came up all on its own, (A) with an article in CANCER LETTER where Prasad was accused of "playing the Nazi card." And, Chat GPT came up on its own, (B) with the idea of looking to Google Scholar to find out how often his publications are cited. That's scary close to thinking before answering.
