Nananda Col
About Nananda Col
Nananda Col is the founder of Shared Decision Making Resources and has extensive experience in medical research and education. She has held various positions, including Director at Maine Medical Center and Assistant Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and currently serves on the FDA's Risk Communication Advisory Committee.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Nananda Col worked as a Study Section Chair for the NIH Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR/STTR) program in Medical Informatics from 2017 to 2018. This role involved overseeing and evaluating research proposals related to medical informatics, contributing to the advancement of innovative health solutions.
Current Role at FDA
Since 2010, Nananda Col has served on the Risk Communication Advisory Committee at the FDA. This position involves providing expert advice on risk communication strategies, ensuring that public health messages are effectively conveyed to the community.
Education and Expertise
Nananda Col holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Additionally, Col earned a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Physics from Dartmouth College. This diverse educational background supports a strong foundation in both medical and policy-related fields.
Previous Positions and Experience
Col has held various significant positions throughout their career. They were Director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Maine Medical Center from 2007 to 2010, and served on the Women's Research Committee at the Institute of Medicine from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, Col was a Professor at the University of New England from 2011 to 2014 and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 2000 to 2003.
Research Focus and Contributions
Nananda Col focuses research on treatment decisions for various medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, aortic stenosis, and sleep apnea. Col develops and evaluates shared decision-making tools aimed at assisting patients in high-stakes medical decisions, enhancing patient engagement and informed consent.