Northwestern Health Sciences University Hires New Director of Office of Data Management for Research

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – There is a new addition to the research efforts at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Edward Owens, DC, MS, ESM, director of the office of data management, began his new appointment at Northwestern in August, 2008. According to Roni Evans, DC, MS, Northwestern’s dean of research, this is a new position added after an extensive analysis of data management needs. The research department has grown so much in recent years that the old “data management position” was insufficient for current activities and the University’s research-related strategic goals.

Northwestern has long recognized the importance of clinical research and its role in assessing treatment and diagnostic methods used by health care professionals. The primary goals are to conduct high quality clinical research and to integrate research evidence with clinical judgment and patient preferences so that patients may receive the high quality health care they need and deserve. Within his new role, Dr. Owens will ensure that research data is managed effectively.

Dr. Owens came to Northwestern after working in research at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. In his new position, Dr. Owens is responsible for overseeing all research-related web and database development; data safety; monitoring; and data management, which includes data transfer, preparation, and sharing and storage of data. He is also a member of Northwestern’s research faculty, and working on new proposals for funding related to biomechanics.

Dr. Evans explains that clinical research studies, including those performed at the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, generate volumes of data that need to be managed. As a recipient of federal research funding, the Center must guarantee that it follows the appropriate procedures so that data is kept safe and confidential.

Dr. Evans said that prior to Dr. Owens beginning his position, the lack of data management support affected the University’s research efforts in several ways. “Data management responsibilities were delegated to others in the department,” she said, “and while this was a good short-term solution, this increased the workload of individuals who already had too much on their plate.”

Dr. Evans believes that having Dr. Owens on board will allow the data systems to run more efficiently. “I think this will increase our capacity to perform more clinical research and generate more funding,” she said.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.