C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research (P-SHOR) at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) and executive director of the PATIENTS Program, has been honored with the ISPOR Avedis Donabedian Outcomes Research Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious international accolade recognizes an individual’s extraordinary, lifelong contributions to improving health outcomes, underscoring Mullins’ impactful three-decade career.

Named after the late Dr. Avedis Donabedian, a trailblazer in health outcomes research, the award highlights achievements that go beyond academic recognition, focusing instead on measurable improvements in health outcomes for populations. Mullins’ groundbreaking work in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) exemplifies these principles.

“This award underscores the importance of including patients in the research process. I’ve had the privilege of learning from patients who share stories about their health care journeys. Many express confusion and mistrust about treatment options and the health care system. My research aims to bridge this gap by involving patients directly in decision-making, ensuring we conduct better, more relevant research,” says Mullins. “It is an honor to be recognized with the Avedis Donabedian Lifetime Achievement Award because there are so many health economics outcomes and economics research doing equally important work.

Throughout his career, Mullins has redefined HEOR by integrating innovative methods and community-engaged approaches to improve health outcomes and advance health equity. Early in his career, he reshaped traditional research methods by incorporating the perspectives of payers and policymakers, leveraging collaborations with entities such as the Baltimore Veterans Administration, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and Medicaid plans. His pivotal contributions to cost-effectiveness analyses and budget impact modeling laid a foundation for his future work.

A transformative moment in Mullins’ career came with the establishment of the School of Pharmacy’s PATIENTS Program, which partners with patients and care providers to answer questions about the best treatment options to improve health and quality of life. The program was created in 2013 through a $5 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Mullins and the PATIENTS team subsequently developed a 10-Step Framework for continuous patient and stakeholder engagement, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This framework, which is the foundation of the PATIENTS Program and a cornerstone of patient-centered outcomes research, has influenced comparative effectiveness research globally. By prioritizing the voices of patients, caregivers, and community stakeholders through the PATIENTS Program, Mullins has expanded the reach of HEOR, ensuring that research findings directly translate into improved health outcomes.

“When I first came to UMSOP almost 30 years ago, I was focused on the value of pharmaceuticals from the perspective of the insurance industry,” says Mullins. “Today, my research centers on viewing health care through the patient’s lens—helping patients understand their treatment options and their value. Empowered patients are better equipped to work with their health care providers to determine the best treatment based on their individual preferences and needs.”

Mullins’ impact extends beyond academia into underserved communities, where his partnerships have improved access to care and informed public health interventions. His recent work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on communicating COVID-19 testing strategies to underrepresented populations exemplifies his commitment to bridging research and real-world application.

A prolific scholar, Mullins has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed articles, delivered invited talks at prestigious conferences, and mentored countless researchers. He has been funding as a principal investigator by four institutes within the National Institutes of Health. As one of two editors-in-chief of the journal Value in Health, he has propelled the journal to its highest-ever impact factor, further advancing the field of HEOR.

Mullins received the Avedis Donabedian Award in November at ISPOR’s Europe 2024 meeting in Spain. He received it from Eberechukwu Onukwugha, PhD, MS, a professor of P-SHOR at UMSOP who is currently serving as ISPOR’s president.

“This prestigious award recognizes lifetime contributions to improving health outcomes, and Dr. Mullins is so deserving of this recognition,” says Onukwugha. “Dr. Mullins cares about research, about students, about colleagues, about our institution, and about our greater community. Over the last 20 years of collaborating with and working alongside him, I have learned a lot about scientific work, conduct, and communication. However, the most valuable lesson is Dr. Mullins’ example of bringing love, consideration, and passion to work every day. And as one of his mentees, it meant a lot to present him with this prestigious award.”

Reflecting on the honor, Mullins remarked, “Receiving this award is a testament to the power of collaboration, inclusion, and community engagement. Health outcomes research is not just about data—it’s about the lives we touch and the inequities we strive to address. I am deeply grateful to ISPOR and to the many colleagues, students, and community partners who have been part of this journey.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Mullins’ recognition with the ISPOR Avedis Donabedian Outcomes Research Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “For 30 years, Dr. Mullins has been a cornerstone of our faculty, blending exceptional scholarship with a deep commitment to advancing patient-centered outcomes research. His emphasis on involving patients and communities in the design of research ensures that the work not only meets the highest academic standards but also addresses real-world needs and preferences. This award reflects his remarkable contributions to the field of health economics and outcomes research, as well as his dedication to equity, collaboration, and innovation. We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.”