James Gillespie, PhD, JD, MPA, MS

CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER

Dr. James J. Gillespie, PhD, JD, MPA, MS, is an entrepreneur, executive, and researcher with extensive experience building collaborative stakeholder relationships and deep strategy expertise in the healthcare, lifescience, and technology sectors. Dr. Gillespie is Chief Health Officer at Umoja Supply Chain Solutions, where he co-leads the Umoja Food for Health division. 

Dr. Gillespie is also a Senior Advisor & Strategy Consultant at the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Clinical Excellence Research Center (CERC) in Palo Alto, CA. Founded by Dr. Arnold Milstein, CERC is the first university-based research center exclusively dedicated to discovering, testing, and evaluating cost-saving innovations in clinically excellent care; the Center’s research seeks more affordable ways to deliver better care for conditions consuming the bulk of the country’s healthcare spending. He is currently working with CERC Professor Dr. Kevin Schulman to launch the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management (MCiM), a unique 12-month management program for working professionals seeking to become leaders in harnessing digital innovations to deliver high-quality, cost-effective health care. Dr. Gillespie is also a Research Affiliate at the Yale University School of Medicine’s Center for Digital Health Innovation in New Haven, CT, where he pursues research at the intersection of diversity/equity/inclusion and digital health. He is President and Co-Founder of the Center for Healthcare Innovation in Chicago, IL, a non-profit research and educational institute making healthcare more equitable. 

Dr. Gillespie’s volunteer civic/professional roles include Co-Founder & Board Member of the Black Healthcare & Medical Association, Advisory Board Member at Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, Co-Founder & Vice President of Action For India, and Practice Leader & Advisory Board Member at America-Israel Chamber of Commerce Chicago. These activities reflect his commitment to and passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and parity. In his consulting and writing, Dr. Gillespie focuses on the advanced application of analytics, data, and technology to address business challenges and opportunities, particularly in the biopharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical sectors. He is lead author of the book “Patient-Centric Analytics in Health Care: Driving Value in Clinical Settings and Psychological Practice”, and his research has appeared in numerous academic journals and industry periodicals, including Academy of Management Review, American Behavioral Scientist, European Journal of Social Psychology, Harvard Business Review, International Journal of Healthcare Management, and Strategic Management Journal.

Dr. Gillespie’s education includes Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, M.S., Ph.D.; Harvard University School of Law, J.D.; Princeton University School of Public Policy, M.P.A.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S.; Carnegie Mellon University Heinz School; and Rand Graduate School. He is fortunate and honored to have served his country in the United States Army Reserves.