Staff

Our consultants have significant experience in contemporary and practical problem solving and provide our clients with candid recommendations and solutions based on their hands-on industry expertise and a solid track record of successful results.

Frank Govern, Ph.D., Founder and CEO - Frank began his career in the health care field as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War followed by twelve years as a Captain in the Army Reserves.. After completing his formal business education, Frank was appointed to a number of chief executive officer positions at Hospital Corporation of America acute care institutions located in Tyrone, Pennsylvania and Alexandria, Virginia, and at Charles River Hospital in Wellesley, Massachusetts. From 1986 until 1999, Frank was the Chief Operating Officer of the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy (JCRT), Harvard Medical School in Boston. The JCRT was a radiation oncology consortium and cooperative of Boston's Longwood Area cancer centers composed of the New England Deaconess Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. During his many years there, he helped to dramatically increase the size, scope, efficiency, and reputation of the JCRT.

In 1999, Frank became the Deputy Director of the Radiation Oncology Sciences Program (ROSP) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This is a multifaceted umbrella organization that coordinates all radiation oncology activities both nationally and internationally of the NCI. He also served as an NCI internal problem-solving consultant. He rounded out his government career as the Chief of Oncology Outreach, Radiation Research Program. Frank focused on expanding minority participation in radiation oncology clinical trials by authoring and administering the Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program (CDRP). His efforts also included working with Dr. Harold Freeman and the staff from the NCI's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities to help formulate and trial the first Patient Navigator programs in the country. Lastly, he worked closely with engineers and clinicians at NIH to develop the clinical and research application of TELESYNERGY, a unique and state of the art telemedicine system. All of Frank's programs were focused on reducing cancer disparities among minorities and those of low socioeconomic status.. Because of the success of CDRP in increasing minorities on clinical trials throughout the country,, the program was awarded additional funds to expand minority participation in medical and surgical oncology clinical trials. In 2004, Frank received the National Institutes of Health Award of Merit from NCI Director, Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach.

"For creation and implementation of the Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program and the pioneering use of telemedicine for cancer research in health disparities populations."

Following Dr. Govern's career at the National Cancer Institute, he became the Northeast Director of Cancer Services for the Geisinger Health System based in Danville, Pennsylvania. While there, he developed, coordinated and oversaw all cancer programs, both hospital and clinic-based operations within nine counties of Northeast Pennsylvania, including the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.  Frank worked with senior system leadership to develop and implement the organizations broader mission, vision and driving strategies in cancer services. He was also the Director of the Frank and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center and a number of chemo infusion and radiation oncology centers throughout the nine counties.

While continuing to manage the client work of his consulting firm and his consulting fellows, Frank has returned to the field of behavioral health services, accepting a clinical management position in a highly respected behavioral health and human services organization in the Greater Boston area.  

Frank is author of the book, "U.S. Health Policy and Problem Definition, A Policy Process Adrift," and has co-authored numerous professional papers and book chapters that can be viewed in the NEWS & PUBLICATIONS page of this website. He has served in senior executive positions in professional and alumni organizations. He is currently a member of the American College of Health Care Executives and the Medical Group Management Association. Frank has lectured at numerous universities, including Pennsylvania State University and Boston University and was one of the few individuals to hold the academic position of Instructor of Health Administration at Harvard Medical School. He also taught numerous courses at Northeastern University over fourteen years as a Lecturer in the University College and the Graduate School of Business. He also was an Instructor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine during his tenure at the NCI. Frank received his B.A. from Salem State College, Massachusetts, a Masters in Administrative Science from the Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University and, in 2001, a Ph.D. in Law, Policy and Society from Northeastern University in Boston.  Click on the following link to see the list of LPS dissertation topics of this unique multi-disciplinary doctoral program and the diverse jobs and activities of its alumni.

Consulting Fellows - The Govern Group’s Consulting Fellows are other industry consultants who have a particular expertise that can be helpful to its clients. The Govern Group has worked extensively with all of its fellows and can involve them in any project; many can play critical roles in the implementation phases of the Govern Group's strategic consulting projects.