Dana Gelb Safran

Dana Gelb Safran is an American public health expert who is president and chief executive officer of the National Quality Forum. She looks to use science to improve the quality, outcomes and affordability of care. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024.

Early life and education Safran studied biology at Wesleyan University. She was a doctoral researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her PhD explored how patients, providers and healthcare systems can better manage chronic conditions.

Research and career Safran spent ten years at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, where she developed the alternative quality contract. The NQF look to evaluate the scientific and clinical merits of healthcare quality measures, and advises Medicare and Medicaid.

In 2024, Safran was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

Selected publications