Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc, has been named the Associate Director for Dissemination & Implementation Science at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). In this role, Dr. Mugavero is charged with leading the strategic vision and coordination of dissemination and implementation science initiatives across the CCTS Partner Network. This position capitalizes on his extensive experience and commitment to advancing health equity and evidence-based practice within the UAB Learning Health System (LHS).

Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc, has been named the Associate Director for Dissemination & Implementation Science at the CCTS. As Associate Director, Dr. Mugavero will oversee efforts to enhance the integration and application of research findings into clinical and community settings. He will work closely with domain teams, the CCTS Executive Committee and leaders from across the three-state region to foster interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible health improvements.

As part of his role as Associate Director, Dr. Mugavero also leads the CCTS’s Clinical and Translational Science Research Program (Element E). This initiative focuses on identifying, developing, and testing innovative approaches to overcome significant roadblocks in clinical and translational research and to accelerate the pace of discovery, translation, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based knowledge. The initial projects under his collaborative leadership include developing a contextual assessment-implementation strategy linkage process for efficiently deploying enhanced recovery programs in under-resourced health systems and utilizing risk stratification and social determinants of health to improve hospital readmission rates and lengths of stay. These projects aim to generate insights that can be generalized in other disciplinary settings and institutions, thereby enhancing the scientific and operational effectiveness locally, regionally and nationally.

This appointment builds on Dr. Mugavero's previous success in leading significant projects at the CCTS, where his leadership has been instrumental in bridging research and practice to tackle complex health challenges. His role will be pivotal in advancing the CCTS’s mission to transform the landscape of clinical and translational science through robust dissemination and implementation strategies. Dr. Renee Heffron (CCTS K12 Co-PI) will co-lead these efforts along with Dr. Mugavero, with Dr. Lisa Zubkoff (ExpiDITIons program lead), Dr. Larry Hearld (DIISC director), Dr. Bertha Hidalgo (CCTS post-doc T32 PI) and numerous other methodological experts at UAB and across the Partner Network playing vital roles in advancing our collective efforts to propel dissemination and implementation science in the CCTS.

"Dr. Mugavero’s new duties as Associate Director marks a significant advancement in our commitment to bring dissemination and implementation science to the forefront of scientific activities in the CCTS," said Orlando M. Gutiérrez, MD, Director of the CCTS. "His experience in leading innovative health strategies aligns perfectly with our core mission to foster a transformative environment that not only speeds up scientific discoveries but ensures their practical application across diverse communities. This strategic move empowers our network to enhance health outcomes on a national scale, demonstrating our commitment to health equity and the well-being of all."