Network Staff

AAFP National Research Network
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211
800-274-2237, ext. 3172

The National Research Network is part of the AAFP Scientific Activities Division, directed by Herbert F. Young, MD, MA, FAAFP.

Wilson D. Pace, MD, FAAFP, Director
wpace@aafp.org
Wilson Pace is a practicing family physician and researcher. He has been leading practice-based research network since 1998. He became Director of the AAFP NRN in 2004.

Elias Brandt, Research Associate
ebrandt@aafp.org
Elias provides support on AAFP NRN studies through all stages of implementation. He oversees data collection and assists with preliminary data analyses.

Miriam Dickinson, PhD, Senior Scientist
Miriam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Miriam’s areas of research and teaching interest include practice-based research, health services research, research methods, and multilevel modeling.

James M. Galliher, PhD, Research Director
jgallihe@aafp.org
Jim has served as Research Director for the AAFP National Research Network since August 1999. He is been responsible for the conduct, overall supervision, staffing, and budgeting of studies fielded within the NRN. Jim has a strong background in practice-based research, large-scale survey research methodology, and statistical analysis.

Deborah G. Graham, MSPH, Associate Research Director
dgraham@aafp.org
Debbie directs the day-to-day operations of the AAFP NRN and is part of the senior research team. Debbie also serves as project manager for selected research projects and directs the Human Subjects work of the Network.

Debbi Main, PhD, Senior Scientist
Debbi is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Debbi also serves as the Associate Director of the Colorado Health Outcomes Program at the University of Colorado. Debbi has considerable interest and experience with mixed methods of data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) with much of her research focusing on understanding and improving the quality and outcomes of primary care.

Brian Manning, MPH, CHES, Senior Research Associate
bmanning@aafp.org
Brian Manning is project manager for the "Improving Communications During Office Visits" study. Brian became involved in research in 1999 following a brief stint in the NFL. Since then Brian has been involved in 4 large scale randomized clinical trials that address areas in smoking cessation, dietary modifications, and patient/doctor communication.

Angela Meers, MPA, Research Assistant
ameers@aafp.org
Angie provides support on AAFP NRN studies through all stages of implementation. She oversees data collection and assists with preliminary data analyses.

Mindy Spano, Senior Program Coordinator
mspano@aafp.org
Mindy coordinates the clerical and administrative duties for the NRN and provides administrative support to all NRN staff. She coordinates all of the IRB activities for the NRN and serves as a liaison between the NRN and the AAFP IRB. She is also responsible for the recruitment of clinicians into the NRN and assists with the recruitment of practices into specific research studies, in addition to assisting with various other activities within the Network.

Elizabeth W. Staton, MSTC, Writer
Elizabeth works on improving written, graphic, and electronic communication and usability. She writes and edits grant applications, papers, and other materials, and manages NRN web site. She is also an Instructor in the Family Medicine Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Thomas V. Stewart, Research Network Administrator
tstewart@aafp.org
Tom has coordinated the efforts of the NRN since its founding. He communicates regularly with network members and facilitates studies throughout the network.