The Department of Health Evaluation Sciences (HES) was established on July 1, 1997. Evolving from the Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (CBE), it provides leadership in statistical, methodological, data management, and research computing aspects of clinical, basic sciences and epidemiological research projects.

The new department has expertise in the following areas:

• biostatistics
• clinical epidemiology
• health services research
• data management
• research computing, and
• health informatics

and is based on the concept of a virtual department.

The idea of a virtual department incorporates advanced learning and communications technology to foster collaboration across organizations in different geographic areas. These organizations include:

• Penn State College of Medicine
• Penn State Capital Campus Harrisburg
• Penn State University Park, and
• Lehigh Valley Hospital.

One organizational dimension is the role of Dr. Mark Young as a dual department chair -- of Health Evaluation Sciences in the College of Medicine, and Community Health and Health Studies at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Exploration of collaborative grant writing, faculty seminars and a health services research conference are some of the linkages with colleagues at affiliated organizations.

In the 21st century, the health evaluation sciences will continue to grow in importance to the success of any academic health care system. These scientific disciplines will be required not only to support clinical research, education and training, but also to assure competitiveness of health care delivery within the complexities of the managed care environment.

HES builds new clinical investigation capacity, focusing on clinical trials and outcomes research. HES currently has eight tenure-track faculty in clinical epidemiology/health services research and seven tenure-track faculty in biostatistics.

The department assists in the design and evaluation of health care processes and outcomes, with continuous refinement of clinical practice. Health Evaluation Sciences offers a strong collaborative group to aid in the recruitment, retention and ongoing training of academic clinical faculty throughout all the other clinical departments in The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and multidisciplinary units such as the Cancer Center, the Cardiovascular Center, and the Center for Primary Care.

Finally, HES contributes to the college's educational mission by offering a master's level program in health evaluation sciences that provides physicians with methodologic skills necessary to perform clinical research (both clinical trials and outcomes research).