Faculty Profile

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson, PhD, MPH

  • Assistant Professor, Health Management and Policy
  • Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
  • Assistant Professor, Cardiac Surgery
  • Director of Analytic Strategy, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy
  • Co-Director, Michigan Value Collaborative
Dr. Thompson is an Assistant Professor in the Section of Health Services Research and Quality in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. He has joint appointments in the Department of Health Management and Policy and Department of Epidemiology at SPH. He also serves as the Co-Director of the Michigan Value Collaborative and Director of Analytic Strategy at the Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy.

He received his PhD in Epidemiology from Michigan State University in 2015, and his MPH from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2011.  His research utilizes quantitative methods to evaluate the intended and unintended effects of health policy, health system redesign, and changes in clinical practice in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.  He is also interested in research related to quality measurement and performance profiling, the adoption of electronic health records, and health care disparities.

Dr. Thompson publishes regularly in both clinical and health policy journals, such as Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, Critical Care Medicine, the American Journal of Managed Care, Health Services Research, and Health Affairs. In 2014, he received a Young Investigator Research Grant from the American Heart Association, and in 2017 was awarded the AHRQ/HCUP Outstanding Article of the Year Award. He is currently an active member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research, AcademyHealth, and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

  • PhD, Michigan State University, 2015
  • MPH, University of Michigan, 2011
  • BS, Michigan State University, 2009
  • BS, Michigan State University, 2008

Research Interests
Dr. Thompson is a health services researcher who applies key principles of health services research to improve healthcare quality and value. Specific areas of his research include provider performance measurement and quality improvement evaluation, adoption of evidence-based research and novel healthcare technology, and evaluating the impact of health policy and payment systems. His approach is built on rigorous quantitative methodology expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration.

As the Co-Director of the Michigan Value Collaborative, he actively contributes to local efforts in enhancing health and health care in Michigan. Dr. Thompson's investigations span various areas, including evaluating the quality of care and outcomes across different care settings. He leads AHRQ-funded projects that delve into understanding the determinants and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation, translating findings into statewide quality improvement initiatives as Co-Director of the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network.

He also conducts research on the impacts of healthcare delivery and policy at the national level. For example, his involvement in the Telehealth Research Incubator and an AHRQ-funded grant supports research that uses national Medicare data to evaluate the impact of telemedicine adoption on health care utilization, outcomes, and costs. Through his research and leadership, Dr. Thompson actively contributes to advancing the field and improving patient care.

Research Projects
Michigan Value Collaborative: Improving the health of Michigan through sustainable, high-value healthcare. 

Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy: Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare in the United States by optimizing clinical practice and informing health policy.

Determinants, Outcomes, and Financial Incentives Associated with Cardiac Rehabilitation Enrollment After Cardiac Surgery (Principal Investigator)

Evaluating the Impact of Telemedicine on Ambulatory Care (Principal Investigator) 

Effects of Integration of Advanced Practice Professionals Into Surgical Group Practice (Co-Investigator)

Thompson MP, Yaser JM, Forrest A, Keteyian SJ, Sukul D. Evaluating the Feasibility of a Statewide Collaboration to Improve Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation: THE MICHIGAN CARDIAC REHAB NETWORK. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2022 Nov 1;42(6):E75–E81. PMCID: PMC10069950 

Thompson MP, Stewart JW 2nd, Hou H, Nathan H, Pagani FD, DeLucia A 3rd, Theurer PF, Prager RL, Hawkins RB, Likosky DS. Determinants and Outcomes Associated With Skilled Nursing Facility Use After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Statewide Experience. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2023 Sep 13;e009639. PMID: 37702050

Thompson MP, Cain-Nielsen AH, Yost Karslake ML, Pizzo CA, Yaser JM, Syrjamaki JD, Nathan H, Norton EC, Regenbogen SE. Hospital performance in a statewide commercial insurer episode-based incentive program. Am J Manag Care. 2023 Aug 1;29(8):e250–e256. PMID: 37616153 

Thompson MP, Brescia AA, Hou H, Pagani FD, Sukul D, Dimick JB, Likosky DS. Access to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Under New Medicare Surgical Volume Requirements. JAMA Cardiol. 2020 Jun 1;5(6):729–732. PMCID: PMC7113828 

Thompson MP, Waters TM, Kaplan CM, Cao Y, Bazzoli GJ. Most Hospitals Received Annual Penalties For Excess Readmissions, But Some Fared Better Than Others. Health Aff. 2017 May 1;36(5):893–901. PMID: 28461357 

Thompson MP
, Luo Z, Gardiner J, Burke JF, Nickels A, Reeves MJ.  Quantifying Selection Bias in Ischemic Stroke Patients with Documented National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in an Acute Stroke Registry.  Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2016; 9, 286-293.

Thompson MP, Waters TM, Kaplan E, McKillop CN, Martin MG. Hospital Volume and Acute Myeloid Leukemia Mortality in Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 65 and Older.  Blood.  2016; 128 (6): 872-874.

Thompson MP, Reeves MJ, Bogan BL, DiGiovine B, Posa P, Watson SR. A Protocol-Based Resuscitation Bundle to Improve Outcomes in Septic Shock Patients:  Evaluation of the MHA Keystone Sepsis Collaborative.  Critical Care Medicine.  2016; 44 (12): 2123-2130.

Thompson MP, Kaplan CM, Cao Y, Bazzoli GJ, Waters TM. Reliability of 30-Day Readmission Measures Used in the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program.  Health Services Research. 2016; 51: 2095-2114, Best of AcademyHealth ARM 2016 Issue.

Thompson MP, Waters TM, Kaplan CM, Cao Y, Bazzoli GJ.  Most Hospitals Received Penalties For Excess Readmissions Every Year, But Some Fared Better Than Others.  Health Affairs. 36 (5): 893-901.

Thompson MP, Podila PS, Clay C, Sharp J, Berkley A, Baker B, Waters TM.  Community Navigators Reduce Hospital Utilization in Super-Utilizers.  Accepted for publication in The American Journal of Managed Care.