Reed V. Tuckson M.D., FACP | |
|---|---|
| Born | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Howard University (B.S.) Georgetown University School of Medicine (M.D.) Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) (Executive fellowship) |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, public health advocate, health policy leader |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Employer | Tuckson Health Connections |
| Known for | Health equity advocacy Public health leadership Telehealth innovation Combating health misinformation |
| Notable work | "The Disease of Distrust" (2020, Science ) |
| Title | Founder and Managing Director |
| Board member of | National Academy of Medicine Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society |
| Awards | Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award (2025) Modern Healthcare – 50 Most Influential Physician Executives |
Reed V. Tuckson is an American physician and public health leader known for advancing health equity, policy reform, and public communication. He has held senior roles in government, academia, and healthcare organizations, including as D.C. Commissioner of Public Health, President of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Chief of Medical Affairs at UnitedHealth Group. Tuckson is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID. He has also played a leading role in advancing telehealth and combating health misinformation through national outreach and education campaigns. [1]
A native of Washington, D.C., Tuckson was born in the early 1950s into a family with connections to medicine and public service. His father, Dr. Coleman Tuckson, was a dentist who contributed to the establishment of the Howard University College of Dentistry. His mother, Evelyn Tuckson, worked as a visiting nurse, focusing on maternal and infant care during national efforts to address infant mortality. [1]
He earned a B.S. from Howard University in 1973 and an M.D. from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1978. Tuckson completed his internal medicine residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also worked at a nearby Veterans Affairs hospital. This experience shaped his interest in preventive care. [1]
While in training, Tuckson hosted a radio program for African-American audiences and helped launch a sickle-cell support group. These efforts led to a fellowship with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program. As a fellow, he studied health policy and administration at the Wharton School and served as a medical director for a nursing home. [1] [2]
Tuckson is the founder and managing director of Tuckson Health Connections. From 2006 to 2015, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs at UnitedHealth Group, following his earlier role as Senior Vice President for Consumer Health and Medical Care Advancement from 2000 to 2006. Before that, he was Group Vice President for Professional Standards at the American Medical Association, and President of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science from 1991 to 1997. He also held senior positions at the March of Dimes as Senior Vice President for Programs (1990–1991) and served as Commissioner of Public Health for the District of Columbia from 1986 to 1990.
Throughout his career, Tuckson has worked with a range of national health organizations, including The Hastings Center and the Alliance for Health Policy. [3] He has advocated for health equity, medical ethics, and the adoption of emerging technologies in medicine, such as precision medicine and telehealth. His efforts have included initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities in healthcare, and he was a co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID. [4] [3]
He is a fellow of the National Academy of Medicine and chaired its Quality Chasm Summit. His federal service includes participation in advisory committees focused on genetics, infant mortality, research ethics, healthcare reform, and health disparities. [5] [1] In 1994, he was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments, established by President Bill Clinton. [6]
In April 1997, Tuckson testified before the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, advocating for increased support of historically Black health institutions, including medical schools and teaching hospitals. Representing the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools, he emphasized the critical role these institutions play in addressing health disparities and educating professionals committed to serving underserved communities. [7]
We are the ones who disproportionately produce the workforce that is dedicated to solving the nation's minority health problems. We are the ones who do the community-based work, we are the ones who do the community-based education, we are the ones who commit to providing the access to care in communities that are otherwise invisible to the major academic institutions.
— Reed V. Tuckson, Testimony before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1998 [7]
In March 1995, he testified before the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources in support of health professions education and minority-serving institutions. Representing Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Tuckson emphasized the role of these institutions in training healthcare providers committed to underserved communities and called on Congress to address systemic disparities in federal funding. [8]
We do not want to become permanent beggars before Congress. What we do want is a system of accountability that links support for our institutions to the measurable production of well-trained professionals who are making a difference in communities that need them most.
— Reed V. Tuckson, Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Congressional Record, March 8, 1995 [8]
In 2016, Tuckson served as president of the American Telemedicine Association, where he supported initiatives to expand access to telehealth services, particularly in underserved and rural areas. The following year, he co-authored an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that outlined how telehealth could support improved care access, cost reduction, population health, and provider experience—commonly referred to as the quadruple aim. [9]
By 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that over 60% of healthcare institutions and nearly half of all hospitals were using some form of telehealth. [10] That same year, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California stated that its virtual visits—including email, telephone, and video—had exceeded in-person appointments. [11]
Tuckson has contributed to public discussions on reimbursement policy and regulation. He has addressed the role of parity laws that require commercial insurers in certain states to reimburse telehealth at the same rate as in-person services. [12] His writing also examined changes to Medicare reimbursement included in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and the 21st Century Cures Act. [13] [14]
In his 2017 publication, Tuckson and co-authors identified several priorities for improving telehealth implementation, including integrating digital services with electronic medical records, aligning with value-based payment models, improving usability, and strengthening the clinical evidence base. [9] These trends have continued to influence healthcare policy and telehealth adoption.
Telehealth has the potential to improve patient access, enhance care coordination, and reduce costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care.
— Reed V. Tuckson, Telehealth, New England Journal of Medicine
His work has also emphasized the need for clinician guidance, performance measurement, and safeguards for data privacy and equitable access to care. In alignment with guidance from the American Medical Association, he has supported the development of standards and ethical practices to guide digital health delivery. [15]
Tuckson’s leadership in public health spans four decades and reflects a sustained commitment to health equity, community engagement, and system-level reform. As D.C. Commissioner of Public Health in the 1980s, he helped coordinate early responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis, expanded care delivery for underserved populations, and advocated for the integration of preventive services into municipal health programs. [7]
At Charles R. Drew University, he played a key role in strengthening medical education and workforce training programs for health professionals serving medically disadvantaged communities. His efforts helped build institutional capacity for primary care delivery in urban and rural settings.
Tuckson has remained active in public health communication through initiatives such as Tuckson Health Connections and his leadership with the Black Coalition Against COVID. He has contributed to national discourse on pandemic preparedness, vaccine confidence, and the social determinants of health, appearing frequently in media and policy forums to address racial disparities in health outcomes. [16]
He continues to serve on national advisory boards and think tanks focused on healthcare transformation, digital health, and patient advocacy, helping shape policies on chronic disease prevention, telemedicine, and access to care. His contributions have been recognized by professional societies and health organizations across the United States.
| Year | Award or Honor | Organization | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award | CDC Foundation / James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation | Recognized for national leadership in health education and telehealth. [17] |
| 2012, 2013 | 50 Most Influential Physician Executives | Modern Healthcare | Named among the most influential physician executives in the U.S. for two consecutive years, recognizing national impact in healthcare policy and communication. [18] [19] |
Tuckson has been a frequent speaker on public health topics: