Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, is the Executive Director at PCORI. She is a cardiologist and health services researcher with a distinguished career leading key scientific initiatives and engaging patients, clinicians, and other healthcare stakeholders at one of the nation’s largest public health research funders. Dr. Cook leads PCORI’s research, dissemination and implementation, and engagement work. She also provides strategic and day-to-day oversight of ongoing programs and new initiatives designed to create a healthcare system that is more efficient, effective, and patient centered. Before taking her current role, Dr. Cook served as Senior Scientific Officer and Chief of Staff at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the third largest institute of the National Institutes of Health, with a staff of 1,000 people and an annual budget of more than $3 billion. She spearheaded the development and implementation of NHLBI’s strategic plan and initiatives in precision medicine, data science, sickle cell disease, and women’s health, with meaningful engagement of stakeholder groups.