Brian O’Rourke, PharmD, served as the president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) from 2009-2020. He joined CADTH following a distinguished career as a pharmacist and healthcare executive with the Canadian military health service. With more than 40 years of experience in healthcare, Dr O’Rourke is a leading expert in the science and practice of health technology assessment (HTA). He has extensive experience in the HTA and HEOR communities and has formed strong relationships with numerous sector leaders around the world. As president and CEO of CADTH, he engaged with a diverse network of stakeholders including HTA experts, public payers, regulators, academicians, industry leaders, clinicians, and patient representatives. From 2014-2018, Brian served as the board chair for the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment. He also served as a co-chair of the Canadian Health Leadership Network from 2012-2016.
Dr O’Rourke has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Toronto. He has held several leadership positions and volunteer roles at ISPOR, providing him with broad knowledge and experience on the mission, vision, and core values of ISPOR and the important role it plays within the international HEOR community. He currently serves as chair of the ISPOR HTA Council and served as a co-chair of the ISPOR North America HTA Roundtable from 2016-2018. He is also a member of the ISPOR Health Science Policy Council and the Policy Outlook Committee. Dr O’Rourke is chair of the HTA Steering Committee and a member of the Scientific Advisory Council at the Centre for Innovation in Regulatory Science, and he serves on several other healthcare advisory boards and committees. In November 2020, Dr O’Rourke was appointed Colonel Commandant (Honorary) of the Royal Canadian Medical Service.
ISPOR Vision Statement by Brian O’Rourke, PharmD
ISPOR is the preeminent organization serving stakeholders engaged in the health economic and outcomes research (HEOR) communities and I strongly support the ISPOR mission, vision, and corporate values. Despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that ISPOR is well-positioned for the future because of strong internal leadership and a staff committed to success. ISPOR has an inclusive governance model that promotes multistakeholder engagement and encourages members to step forward to serve in leadership roles.
If I was offered the opportunity to serve as President, my number one priority would be to work with the Board and the CEO/Executive Director in executing a pandemic-recovery plan—a plan that builds on past success and capitalizes on new thinking to strengthen ISPOR financially, grow its membership base, and introduce new initiatives that continue to position ISPOR as the go to society for HEOR. The pandemic created numerous challenges for patients and for the scientific and clinical communities. It was particularly challenging for societies like ISPOR that rely heavily on face-to-face interaction. Nevertheless, the pandemic also stimulated innovative thinking that will open new opportunities for bold, forward-thinking organizations like ISPOR.
My second priority would be to enhance the role of ISPOR and the broader HEOR community in promoting global health and gender equity. During the pandemic, there were numerous examples whereby racialized and marginalized populations, as well as low- and middle-income countries, had limited access to necessary health services. Health equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values that can contribute to the success of ISPOR.
My third priority would be to promote the evolution of HEOR and HTA methods and practices, building on the strategic pillars and objectives articulated in the ISPOR Strategic Plan Update 2024, and the ISPOR Science Strategy released in 2021. This will include strengthening the involvement of all stakeholders and collaborating with other scientific networks and societies. If elected, I would work with the Board and leadership team to host a series of visioning summits that would ultimately support the development of Vision 2030, a strategy that will continue to promote scientific and research excellence, encourage member engagement, and that will position ISPOR for future success.
I have extensive experience in the HTA and HEOR communities and have formed strong relationships with numerous sector leaders around the world. I would welcome the opportunity to continue this engagement by serving as your ISPOR President.