Meet Our Team
Leadership
Lauren H Nicholas PhD, MPP
Professor Medicine-Geriatrics
Lauren Hersch Nicholas is a health economist whose research focuses on the role of public policy in improving health and healthcare quality for the elderly. Her current research combines survey, administrative, and clinical data to study the interaction between healthcare utilization and economic outcomes.
Dr. Nicholas's work uses clinical and econometric approaches to answer questions in medical and health economics, particularly for dementia, surgery and end-of-life care. Her research has been recognized with prestigious awards including the National Academy of Social Insurance John Heinz Dissertation Award, the AcademyHealth Article-of-the-Year Award, and the HCUP Most Outstanding Article Award.
Dr. Nicholas is a professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, part of the core faculty of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, and has a secondary appointment in the CU Denver Department of Economics.
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- 2002 Cornell University, BA, Policy Analysis and Management
- 2004 The George Washington University, MPP, Public Policy
- 2008 Columbia University, PhD, Social Policy and Policy Analysis
Resumes/CV:
Awards
- 2025 Highly Cited Paper Award, Health Services Research
- 2019 Excellence in Teaching , Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
- 2015 Delta Omega Honor Society
- 2014 HCUP Article of the Year Award, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- 2012 Article of the Year Award, AcademyHealth
- 2009 John Heinz Dissertation Award, National Academy of Social Insurance
Lauren H Nicholas PhD, MPP
Professor Medicine-Geriatrics
Lauren Hersch Nicholas is a health economist whose research focuses on the role of public policy in improving health and healthcare quality for the elderly. Her current research combines survey, administrative, and clinical data to study the interaction between healthcare utilization and economic outcomes.
Dr. Nicholas's work uses clinical and econometric approaches to answer questions in medical and health economics, particularly for dementia, surgery and end-of-life care. Her research has been recognized with prestigious awards including the National Academy of Social Insurance John Heinz Dissertation Award, the AcademyHealth Article-of-the-Year Award, and the HCUP Most Outstanding Article Award.
Dr. Nicholas is a professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, part of the core faculty of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, and has a secondary appointment in the CU Denver Department of Economics.
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- 2002 Cornell University, BA, Policy Analysis and Management
- 2004 The George Washington University, MPP, Public Policy
- 2008 Columbia University, PhD, Social Policy and Policy Analysis
Resumes/CV:
Awards
- 2025 Highly Cited Paper Award, Health Services Research
- 2019 Excellence in Teaching , Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
- 2015 Delta Omega Honor Society
- 2014 HCUP Article of the Year Award, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- 2012 Article of the Year Award, AcademyHealth
- 2009 John Heinz Dissertation Award, National Academy of Social Insurance
Search Faculty and Staff
Lauren H Nicholas PhD, MPP
Professor Medicine-Geriatrics
Email Address:lauren.h.nicholas@cuanschutz.edu
Lauren Hersch Nicholas is a health economist whose research focuses on the role of public policy in improving health and healthcare quality for the elderly. Her current research combines survey, administrative, and clinical data to study the interaction between healthcare utilization and economic outcomes.
Dr. Nicholas's work uses clinical and econometric approaches to answer questions in medical and health economics, particularly for dementia, surgery and end-of-life care. Her research has been recognized with prestigious awards including the National Academy of Social Insurance John Heinz Dissertation Award, the AcademyHealth Article-of-the-Year Award, and the HCUP Most Outstanding Article Award.
Dr. Nicholas is a professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, part of the core faculty of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, and has a secondary appointment in the CU Denver Department of Economics.
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- 2002 Cornell University, BA, Policy Analysis and Management
- 2004 The George Washington University, MPP, Public Policy
- 2008 Columbia University, PhD, Social Policy and Policy Analysis
Resumes/CV:
Awards
- 2025 Highly Cited Paper Award, Health Services Research
- 2019 Excellence in Teaching , Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
- 2015 Delta Omega Honor Society
- 2014 HCUP Article of the Year Award, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- 2012 Article of the Year Award, AcademyHealth
- 2009 John Heinz Dissertation Award, National Academy of Social Insurance
*Our Faculty Categories:
Affiliate faculty are individuals who make meaningful contributions to the Center’s mission and demonstrate ongoing engagement with its work. This may include participation in or support of the Center's initiatives in research, education, clinical ethics or community outreach. Affiliate faculty are nominated by an elected core faculty member and their approval is at the Center director’s discretion.
Associate faculty are individuals who make substantial and sustained contributions to the Center’s mission through active collaboration in research, teaching, and scholarly activities. They typically hold a University faculty appointment and maintain an ongoing professional relationship with one or more elected core faculty members or Center mission areas. Associate faculty are nominated by an elected core faculty member followed by a formal review and voting process by all elected core faculty.
Elected core faculty are selected through a formal review and voting process in recognition of their leadership and sustained contributions to the Center’s mission. They play a central role in shaping and advancing the Center's programs, mentor future scholars and represent the Center within and beyond the University. Members are typically expected to hold a University faculty appointment and maintain active involvement in the Center’s academic and community activities.
Exceptions to the appointment requirement may be granted by Center leadership and a majority vote of the elected core faculty.