Dr. Rishi Wadhera, Associate Director of the Smith Center, was inducted into the American Society for Clinical Investigation in April 2026. Each year, the ASCI Council considers membership nominations of several hundred physician-scientists — aged 50 years or younger — and recommends up to 100 candidates for election based on outstanding scholarly achievement. Election is a milestone in the physician-scientist career path, and the ASCI holds its members to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality.
About Dr. Wadhera
Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil is the Associate Director of and Section Head of Health Policy at the Smith Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Professor of Health Policy & Management at Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Wadhera’s research evaluates the impact of national health policies and reforms on access and affordability, quality of care, and health outcomes using advanced statistical, econometric, and epidemiologic approaches. His empirical work has made influential contributions that have directly informed and shaped national policy. He has been invited to advise policymakers at the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Congressional Committees - translating rigorous evidence into actionable policy. He is the PI of 3 R01 grants and an American Heart Association Established Investigator Award, serves on national advisory panels for the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) and National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and as an Associate Editor at the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
“Being elected to the ASCI is a genuine honor — one that reflects the contributions of an extraordinary group of trainees, collaborators, and mentors who have shaped this research program,” Dr. Wadhera said. “Health policy decisions affect care and outcomes for millions of people, and getting them right demands evidence that is rigorous, real-time, and precise – that’s what drives our work.”
Among his recognitions, Dr. Wadhera received Harvard Medical School’s Excellence in Mentoring Award and the Smith Center was recognized with the Program Award for a Culture of Excellence in Mentoring from Harvard Medical School, under his co-leadership. He has served as primary mentor to more than 40 trainees, who collectively first-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, secured independent funding, and launched successful academic careers at institutions across the country.
About the American Society for Clinical Investigation
The ASCI is a nonprofit medical honor society composed of more than 3,000 physician-scientists representing all medical specialties. The Society is dedicated to the advancement of research that extends understanding of diseases and improves treatment, and members are committed to mentoring future generations of physician-scientists.
Founded in 1908, the ASCI is one of the nation’s oldest medical honor societies and is among the few organizations focused on the special role of physician-scientists in research, clinical care, and medical education, as well as leadership positions in academic medicine and the life sciences industry.
Each year, the ASCI Council considers membership nominations of several hundred physician-scientists — aged 50 years or younger — and recommends up to 100 candidates for election based on outstanding scholarly achievement. Election is a milestone in the physician-scientist career path, and the ASCI holds its members to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality. Along with the Association of American Physicians and American Physician Scientists Association, the ASCI convenes an annual scientific meeting in Chicago.
About the Smith Center for Outcomes Research
Founded in 2015, The Smith Center for Outcomes Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center conducts rigorous, patient-centered research to improve health outcomes and inform clinical decision-making. Embedded within a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate, the Center combines novel analytical approaches with deep clinical expertise to understand and improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare delivery. Their work has influenced national policy, generated new clinical insights, and increased access to high-quality, affordable care. To get news as soon as it happens, follow us on X/Twitter and LinkedIn.