Research Team
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The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index collaboration draws on the diverse backgrounds and achievements of the following published researchers and scientists to find the combinations of questions, results, and impacts that have the most positive effects on individuals, communities, states and the nation.
The following are the lead researchers on the project:
Jim Harter, Ph.D., Chief Scientist Workplace Management & Well-Being, Gallup
Harter is the primary researcher and author of the first meta-analysis to investigate the relationships between work-unit employee engagement and business results. He is author or coauthor of more than one thousand research studies on employee engagement and talent as well as industrial and organizational psychology. He is also coauthor of the New York Times bestseller 12: The Elements of Great Managing, an exploration of the 12 crucial ingredients for creating and harnessing employee engagement. His research has been popularized in the business bestsellers First, Break All the Rules and How Full Is Your Bucket? and in academic articles, book chapters, and publications such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.
Dan L. Witters, Principal, Gallup
Since 1992, Witters has specialized in managing research programs designed to measure and enhance customer loyalty and workplace engagement, with a special emphasis on healthcare and health related research, including the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. To date, he has directed over $50 million in research for some of the world's best-managed organizations, including Stanford Hospital & Clinics, AT&T, Philips Medical Systems, Starbucks, Fifth Third Bank, Ernst & Young and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. For 17 years, Witters has used his expertise in survey design, methodology, analysis, business outcome modeling, report writing, and presentation of results to help leaders better understand their own marketplace, customers and employees.
Witters' extensive customer and employee research experience has earned him high honors throughout his career. In 2002, Witters became the 13th researcher in Gallup's history to earn the Diplomat Analyst certification. A rare distinction awarded to tenured researchers who create an original research thesis that expands Gallup's body of knowledge.
James E. Pope, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Science Officer, Healthways
As Chief Science Officer at Healthways, Inc., Dr. James E. Pope oversees medical and scientific integrity, analytic consultative services, process quality improvements, outcomes and applied research. Dr. Pope joined Healthways in 2003 after 26 years in a Tampa, Florida private practice leading the company's medical quality initiatives. In 2006, he was named Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for product development, delivery and support for Healthways domestic business.
In addition to co-authoring numerous journal articles, Dr. Pope has held a number of executive positions, including President of the HeartCare Institute of Tampa and President and Medical Director of Florida Cardiac Network, Inc. Dr. Pope has also served on the faculty at Wake Forest's Bowman Gray School of Medicine.
Amy Neftzger, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, M.A., Lead Director of Well-Being Research, Healthways
Leveraging her background as an Industrial/Organization psychologist, Neftzger leads Healthways research for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Her expertise includes assessment, work environment, and well-being in the workplace. She's also an internationally-published author of several text books and journal articles on data mining, well-being, work environment and disease management.
