David J. Abelson, M.D., is chair of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) and medical director, information management and care improvements, Park Nicollet Clinic and Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Dr. Abelson was named guideline implementation leader in 1994, and in that role designed and managed support to implement 40 ICSI clinical guidelines. He also designed and managed integration of ambulatory clinical guidelines and hospital pathways as part of a program called "Supporting Best Care."
Dr. Abelson earned a medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1976 and completed an internship and residency in medicine there in 1979. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Medical Informatics Association, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. He is a frequent speaker at national medical forums and symposiums. He has published numerous articles in medical journals and is the author of the book Take Charge of Your Health.