Dr. Edwin Wong has been appointed director of the PhD in Health Services program in the University of Washington’s Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop). He succeeds Dr. Peggy Hannon, who has served as interim director since 2024.
Wong, a research associate professor in HSPop, has played a key leadership role in the program since September 2024, when he was appointed associate director alongside Hannon’s interim leadership. In his new role, Wong will guide the department’s flagship doctoral program in health services research — one of the oldest and most respected in the nation — as it continues to prepare future scholars and leaders dedicated to improving population health and health care systems.
“Edwin has shown exceptional dedication to our students and to the long-term success of the PhD program,” said Hannon. “He is an expert in health economics and research methods, and his commitment to the success of all the doctoral students will be invaluable as the program evolves to meet the changing needs of health services research.”
Wong’s research focuses on health economics and health system performance, with an emphasis on delivering higher-quality, more efficient care. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other major funding agencies. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is widely recognized for advancing research that connects evidence-based policy with real-world patient outcomes.
Before this appointment, Wong collaborated closely with Hannon to enhance student support, strengthen mentorship structures, and expand opportunities for interdisciplinary research within the PhD program.
Hannon, who has led the program in an interim capacity since 2024, guided it through a period of transition with steady leadership and a continued focus on student experience and faculty engagement. “Peggy’s thoughtful leadership ensured the program remained strong and forward-looking,” said professor and department chair Megha Ramaswamy. “We’re deeply grateful for her contributions and her continued service to the department.”
Wong’s appointment reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation in graduate education and training the next generation of health services researchers to tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges in health care access, equity, and delivery.