Ambassador

Janet Austin

Arthritis Power – Patient Governor Advisor
NYU School of Medicine – Patient Representative

Years Involved in Patient Centered Research: 2-5 years
State: Alabama

Janet Austin, PhD, is an educator, speaker, blogger, author, and advocate with professional experience in an academic medical center, nonprofit organization, and government. She served as the Director of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 1999 to 2011. Prior to joining NIAMS, Austin was the Vice President of the American Juvenile Arthritis Organization and the Arthritis Foundation National Office in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Science in special education from Iowa State University, a Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling, and a doctorate in health education and promotion from the University of Alabama. In 2011, Austin retired from government service due to longstanding rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. She left Bethesda, Maryland to return to her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Austin is currently pursuing her desire to connect with women challenged by the daily struggles associated with chronic disease and pain by founding the Janet S. Austin Chronic Disease Foundation, a national nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. The foundation’s mission is to provide resources and support to enhance functional, physical, relational, and spiritual capabilities of those in pain from chronic diseases. 

Involvement with PCORI

Engagement Award: Research Agenda for Translating Disease Specific Care to Patient Goals-Directed Care for Prople with Multiple Chronic Conditions – Advisory Member
Research: Hartford-PCORI Collaboration to Align Care for Complex Older Adults initiative – Advisory Member
Advisory Panel on Healthcare Delivery and Disparities Research

Ambassador Interests

Health Conditions Health Conditions These are the broad terms we use to categorize our funded research studies; specific diseases or conditions are included within the appropriate larger category. Note: not all of our funded projects focus on a single disease or condition; some touch on multiple diseases or conditions, research methods, or broader health system interventions. Such projects won’t be listed by a primary disease/condition and so won’t appear if you use this filter tool to find them. View Glossary
Populations Populations PCORI is interested in research that seeks to better understand how different clinical and health system options work for different people. These populations are frequently studied in our portfolio or identified as being of interest by our stakeholders. View Glossary
Research Phases
State State The state where the project originates, or where the primary institution or organization is located. View Glossary

Send a request to connect with Janet Austin

PCORI would like to facilitate connections among PCORI Ambassadors and between PCORI Ambassadors and other stakeholders to partner on research projects, engagement initiatives, speaking opportunities and other patient-centered research activities. If you would like to connect with the above-listed PCORI Ambassador, please send a request using the form below.
The message is submitted to PCORI. PCORI will review all messages and retains the right to share or not share the message with the selected Ambassador in its discretion, based on the appropriateness and nature of the request. We ask that you do not include any sensitive personal information (e.g. social security number, dates of birth) with your request. By submitting a request, you agree to PCORI's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Want to Connect With More Ambassadors?
View Ambassadors in Alabama