Alan Sim, Ph.D. Email and Phone Number

Chief Data Officer (CDO), Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology (OPHDST) at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Provides leadership to position CDC within the larger data science and advanced health science communities, ensuring that public health benefits from and contributes to impactful and ethical use of data for discovery, innovation, application, and health improvement.Weave existing data science efforts into a new data ecosystem to maximize the utilization and extraction of knowledge from the data generated by, and relevant to, CDC research, and will promote the coordination and harmonization of data use throughout the CDC, being sensitive to the unique programs and goals of the individual CDC Institutes and Centers. Position CDC within the larger research data science and advanced computing environments, ensuring that the CDC benefits from and contributes to effective and proper use of data for discovery, innovation, care and commerce.

Led and manage a team of statisticians, data scientists, and natural language processing (NLP) professionals to apply innovative predictive and big analytics techniques to support operational and research initiatives within the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as with external academic and federal partners. Provided vision and strategy for the application of machine learning, AI and other data science innovations to enhance DoD’s ability to generate actionable insights from multiple, disparate data sources. Spearheaded and led collaborations resulting in the development of a joint DoD/VA opioid management registry as well as a joint DoD/VA opioid management and safety innovation grant/award. Conceived development of a DoD virtual research environment to streamline the research and data management/access process. The Data Innovation team leverages multiple languages and platforms including SAS, Teradata, SQL, Python, R, and Hortonworks and provides data discovery and “translational” data science services for a wide variety of research topics/projects including predicting opioid misuse/risk, polypharmacy, transition of care (DoD to VA), maternal mortality, value-based care, patient satisfaction, and long-term chronic disease health outcomes associated with combat injuries among others.

Coordinated and led a team of analysts responsible for processing several terabytes of administrative data using SQL to produce HEDIS-based performance indicators and disease management data for three services (e.g. Army, Navy, and Air Force). These metrics are monitored by the MHS to assess efficacy of prevention screening and disease management processes at military treatment facilities. Data sources capture demographic, laboratory, pharmacy, and medical billing information for over 9 million beneficiaries, of which over 3 million are enrolled to the Military Health System. This data is produced monthly, posted on a secure website (Military Heath System Population Health Portal) for population health nurses and disease managers to forecast demand and manage their respective patient populations.

Led a team of health informatics analysts within the Population Health Support Division under the Air Force Medical Service Agency (AFMSA) to mine several terabytes of administrative data within the AFCHIPS data warehouse using SQL and SAS to produce numerous NCQA HEDIS-based performance indicators and disease management registries for the entire Department of Defense (DoD).

Worked with the Research and Academic Computing manager as a liaison between the MIS department and academic faculty, researchers, and administrative staff by coordinating activities to ensure projects were properly managed. Organized meetings between MIS programmers and faculty to identify current business processes and gather business requirements. Coordinated with developers on design, development, and testing of products and communicated progress and any issues to faculty. Met with various research and academic departments to find ways to improve MIS responsiveness and customer service. Managed several projects dealing with the development or enhancement of electronic faculty applications..

Participated in the development of national information models and data standards for the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS), a national web-based project to integrate disparate data and information systems to facilitate effective management of disease information and messaging at local and state health departments. Collaborated daily with NEDSS consultants on NEDSS Base System operational issues related to business requirements, data modeling (e.g. Public Health Conceptual Data Model), vocabulary, data mapping, and electronic messaging. Served on the NEDSS Vocabulary Team to recommend use of national clinical (e.g. Health Level 7) and laboratory (e.g. LOINC, SNOMED, etc.) standards.