Jeffery Dusek

Biography and Expertise of Jeffery Dusek

Dr. Jeffery Dusek has established himself as a visionary in health research by pioneering methodologies to evaluate integrative medicine in real-world clinical settings. As the architect of BraveNet, a large and expanding international PBRN, he addresses a critical gap between tightly controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the complexities of everyday patient care. His work provides a framework for understanding how, for whom, and under what conditions integrative therapies are most effective.

His expertise directly informs the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” Dr. Dusek’s focus on large-scale data collection through BraveNet is a direct response to the Gujarat Declaration’s call for robust science and evidence to guide the integration of traditional and complementary medicine into healthcare systems. Furthermore, BraveNet’s international composition, which includes a center in Brazil, exemplifies the congress’s emphasis on South-South and global collaboration.

Beyond data collection, the research of Jeffery Dusek seeks to create data-driven, patient-specific recommendations for whole-health interventions. This forward-looking approach supports the development of personalized medicine within an integrative framework, contributing to the congress motto of building “Well-being Societies” through a more nuanced and evidence-informed understanding of “Knowledge Diversity” in healthcare practices worldwide.

Professional Career

Dr. Jeffery Dusek‘s professional journey is marked by leadership roles at some of the most prestigious academic and medical institutions in the United States. His career reflects a consistent dedication to advancing the science of mind-body and integrative medicine, moving from foundational research to directing large-scale, multi-institutional research consortia. This trajectory has positioned him at the forefront of efforts to legitimize and integrate these approaches into mainstream healthcare.

His work has consistently focused on building the necessary infrastructure to conduct high-impact research, demonstrating a unique ability to bridge clinical practice with rigorous scientific inquiry. Therefore, each role has been a stepping stone toward his current position as a global leader in practice-based evidence generation.

• Professor in Residence, Department of Medicine, and Director of Outcomes Research, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, University of California, Irvine: In his current role, Dr. Dusek leads the strategic vision for outcomes research, focusing on the real-world impact of integrative health models and spearheading the international BraveNet collaborative.
• Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School: During his tenure at Harvard, he contributed to the academic advancement of integrative medicine, teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers and clinicians while conducting influential studies.
• Director of Research, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital: At this pioneering institute, he directed the research program, overseeing studies on the physiological and psychological effects of mind-body interventions, such as meditation and yoga, on stress-related conditions.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Jeffery Dusek is rooted in the rigorous discipline of physiology, providing him with a deep understanding of the human body’s mechanisms and responses. This scientific training has been instrumental in his ability to design and interpret research on complex health interventions that engage the interconnectedness of mind and body. His educational path reflects a commitment to applying fundamental science to pressing clinical questions.

This strong scientific background enables him to command respect in both conventional and integrative medical circles, facilitating the cross-disciplinary collaboration that is essential for his work. Consequently, his qualifications provide the credibility needed to lead ambitious, large-scale research initiatives.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin: His doctoral research provided him with expertise in physiological systems, which he later applied to investigate the mechanisms underlying the relaxation response and other mind-body therapies. This training forms the scientific basis of his career in integrative medicine research.
• Post-Doctoral Training: Following his PhD, his further training allowed him to specialize in research methodologies applicable to clinical settings, preparing him for a career focused on translational and outcomes research in academic medical centers.

BraveNet and Real-World Evidence

The research portfolio of Dr. Jeffery Dusek is defined by his leadership of the BraveNet PBRN. This initiative represents a paradigm shift in integrative medicine research, moving beyond the limitations of traditional RCTs to capture the effectiveness of therapies as they are actually delivered. BraveNet unites 34 member clinics across the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, South Korea, and Brazil, creating a vast and diverse data repository. Preliminary data shows this network accounts for over 440,000 annual patient visits, offering unprecedented statistical power.

BraveNet has already completed several significant multi-center observational studies, including REGISTRY (n=4,182), SIMTAP (n=409), and PRIMIER (n=2,374). These studies have laid the groundwork for understanding patient populations, treatment patterns, and outcomes in integrative settings. Moreover, BraveNet has served as the platform for NCCIH-funded RCTs like LARKSPUR and ACUITY, demonstrating its versatility for conducting various types of high-impact research.

The ultimate vision for BraveNet, as championed by Jeffery Dusek, is to leverage this coordinated data collection to create a learning health system. The goal is to develop data-driven, patient-specific recommendations for whole-health interventions. This ambitious project aims to answer critical questions about which interventions are ideal for a given patient and what the optimal cadence of care should be, thereby advancing a more personalized and effective model of integrative healthcare globally.

Leadership in Collaborative Research

While not holding formal titles on numerous external boards, Dr. Jeffery Dusek‘s primary contribution to governance and collaborative leadership is embodied in his role as the founder and director of the BraveNet consortium. This position is functionally equivalent to chairing a multi-institutional steering committee, requiring immense diplomatic, strategic, and organizational skill. He is responsible for uniting dozens of independent clinical and academic centers under a shared research mission.

His leadership involves setting the strategic direction for the network, facilitating consensus on research priorities, and establishing standardized data collection protocols to ensure data quality and interoperability across diverse electronic health record systems. This work is fundamental to building a cohesive and productive research community.

• Founder and Director of BraveNet: He provides the central leadership for this international PBRN. This includes recruiting new member sites, managing governance structures, and securing funding to support network-wide initiatives.
• Principal Investigator on Multi-Center Trials: As the leader of BraveNet, he serves as the overarching principal investigator or key facilitator for studies conducted within the network, coordinating research activities across numerous sites.
• Fostering International Partnerships: A key aspect of his role is building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with research leaders in multiple countries, which is critical for the network’s global reach and relevance. This directly supports the 3rd WCTCIM’s goal of fostering international cooperation.

Connect with Dr. Dusek

For more detailed information on the groundbreaking research and professional activities of Dr. Jeffery Dusek, please consult his official university profile and other professional resources. These links offer further insight into his work with the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and the BraveNet collaborative.

Official UCI Profile: View Professional Profile at UC Irvine

LinkedIn Profile: Connect on LinkedIn