Mary E. Vaiana

Mary E. Vaiana
Senior Communications Analyst
Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in English linguistics, Indiana University

Overview

Mary Vaiana is a senior research communications analyst at the RAND Corporation. She helps to design and implement dissemination strategies for key research projects. Recent examples include structural and editorial input for Opioids Uncharted (a comprehensive policy review volume); editing multiple papers and presentations and authoring a series of synthesis pieces for the Center of Excellence on Health System Performance (highlighting what this AHRQ-funded five year grant learned about topics ranging from safety net hospitals and HIT to health system performance and vertical integration); and leading all communications efforts for a seven-year project examining multiple dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  She designs derivative materials such as policy briefs, fact sheets, and special web features that synthesize and highlight research findings in non-technical language, and develops presentations for audiences ranging from practitioners and clinical health services researchers to private and public sector decisionmakers, Congress, and the media. Vaiana earned her Ph.D. in English linguistics from Indiana University.

Commentary

  • Patient Experience

    Creating More Savvy Consumers Through Public Reporting

    Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys are designed to capture patients' experiences in a systematic way that facilitates reporting the results publicly to help other consumers make more savvy care decisions. Consumer choices may influence providers to improve the care they offer so that they can effectively compete in the market.

    Dec 27, 2012

  • Military Personnel

    Gays in the Military: New Facts Conquer Old Taboos

    RAND's updated research on sexual orientation and U.S. military personnel policy played a role in the likely repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But it also tells a story of how public opinion has shifted on the issue since we first studied it in 1993.

    Apr 29, 2011

Publications