Founded in 1998, the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center is one of the oldest and largest pediatric health services and outcomes research centers in the U.S. Since its founding, CHEAR has been the home to faculty from a broad variety of backgrounds, including general pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, economists, epidemiologists, and research scientists. CHEAR has a longstanding history of funding from federal agencies (NIH, AHRQ, CDC, PCORI), foundations, state government, and philanthropy, and has trained some of the leading pediatric health services researchers in the country.
Key accomplishments include:
- In 2000, CHEAR launched the first-ever NIH-funded training program for pediatric health services researchers.
- Since 2006, CHEAR has organized the annual Meister Lecture in Child Health Policy, one of the most prominent events on the campus of the University of Michigan each year.
- Since 2007, CHEAR has organized the CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children Health, which assesses parents’ views on a variety of timely and important topics related to child health.
- Through a federal grant, CHEAR led the development of national pediatric quality measures centered on preventive care for children with sickle cell disease.
- CHEAR faculty have made key contributions to advancing child health in Michigan, including building the Michigan statewide immunization registry and lead registry, as well as developing a statewide surveillance system to improve care for children with sickle cell disease.
The CHEAR Center is located within the Division of General Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Michigan Medical School.
Our Mission
To advance the health and well-being of all children, adolescents, and families through research and education.
Our Vision
To be the leader in unbiased multidisciplinary research and teaching that influences policy and systems to improve health and health care for all children, adolescents, and their families in our communities near and far.
Our Values
- Integrity
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Excellence
- Equity