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Eric S. Armbrecht, Ph.D.

Professor
Department of Health and Clinical Outcomes Research

Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Department of Health Management and Policy, College for Public Health and Social Justice


Courses Taught

Data Management, Introduction to Biostatistics, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, University 101 Enhancing First year Success

Education

  • Ph.D. in health services research from Saint Louis University
  • M.S. in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University
  • B.S. science-business program from University of Notre Dame

Research Interests

Chronic disease management is the focus of Armbrecht's work as a professor, data scientist and public health advocate. For more than 20 years, he has designed, implemented, and evaluated health improvement strategies across diverse populations and settings, including health care systems, community-based organizations and government agencies. He balances technical mastery of data analysis with keen attention to how information is packaged and communicated.

  • Big data analytic tools
  • Quality measurement and improvement
  • Primary care delivery models
  • Diabetes management
  • Patient engagement
  • Data visualization
  • Cost-effectiveness analysis
  • Clinical decision making

Publications and Media Placements

Professional Organizations and Associations

  • Institute for Clinical and Economic Review
  • Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council Health Professions Education Summer Symposium at Dartmouth College
  • SLUCare-SSM Triple Aim Committee
  • Saint Louis University MyCare Program Leadership Team (a patient-centered medical home)
  • Academy Health
  • American Evaluation Association

Community Work and Service

Armbrecht served as senior analytics advisor for the Midwest Health Initiative, a nonprofit community-based organization that maintains a regularly-updated, longitudinal warehouse of health insurance claims (medical and pharmacy) representing 2.5 million people from Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. His experience with big data and expertise in statistical analysis is supporting the Midwest Health Initiative's drive to improve quality and affordability.

For three years he chaired public meetings of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review’s Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council.  The members reviewed cost-effectiveness of new treatments for cancer, hypertension, dyslipidemia, blindness and many other conditions. Armbrecht remains an active voting member of the Council.  In 2020, he authored an evidence report as part of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review’s study of interventions to address the opioid epidemic.

In addition to teaching and leading funded research projects, Armbrecht directs supports the AHEAD Institute’s consulting practice by working with faculty, residents and students to conduct original clinical research  Over the years, he has supported academic, government, corporate and nonprofit clients to study effectiveness and value across the health care system. Through his consulting engagements, he has analyzed hundreds of datasets ranging in size and complexity from a few carcinoma cases to 7 million-plus hospital discharges. The projects have spanned many analytic challenges and medical sub-specialties, including pediatrics, dermatology, cardiology, surgery and emergency medicine.

Selected organizational affiliations for community work and service:

  • St. Louis Regional Health Commission, Access to Care Workgroup
  • St. Louis Diabetes Coalition
  • Little Flower School
  • Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America-St. Louis Chapter
  • Missouri Healthy Schools, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 
  • Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Transforming Public Health Initiative #HealthierMO
  • State of Missouri Children's Services Commission Subcommittee on Childhood Obesity