SUMMARY
Dawn Francis, M.D., focuses on clinical research of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), esophageal motility problems and treatment of Barrett esophagus. She is a leader in healthcare delivery, specifically in the realm of digital health, and is actively engaged in education and research activity in this domain.
Focus areas
- Esophageal conditions that cause dysphagia. Dr. Francis researches the treatment and outcomes of esophageal conditions that cause dysphagia. Some of these conditions are EoE, esophageal motility problems and rare esophageal mucosal conditions such as lichen planus.
- Digital healthcare. Dr. Francis studies digital healthcare research, education, payment models and innovative efforts focused on delivering all aspects of healthcare outside of the brick-and-mortar healthcare system. This digital healthcare includes advanced care at home, specialty care delivered via telehealth and home infusions including chemotherapeutics.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Francis and her team conducted the initial trials that determined the role of gastroesophageal reflux in EoE. They also trialed the first clinical study on treating EoE with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This trial resulted in the complete reclassification of the disease from PPIs unresponsive to PPIs responsive and changed the first line treatment strategy for EoE from topical corticosteroids to PPIs.
Her digital health teams created and implemented multiple new models of care delivery that have transformed the delivery of healthcare. These include acute care at home called hospital at home, virtual RN, end-to-end telehealth for specialty care, facility-to-facility digital care delivery called telestroke, facility-to-specialty care digital care delivery such as nursing home to pulmonary expert and remote monitoring for people at high risk, such as those with congestive heart failure.
Professional highlights
- Member, Revenue Value Update Committee, American Medical Association, 2020-2022.
- Adviser, American Gastroenterology Association, 2015-2020.
- Member, advisory panel, Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 2009-2019.