Cambridge, MA, April 3, 2023―The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced today that executive vice president Ramona Tanabe has been named to succeed John Ruser as the new CEO of the Institute. She will assume responsibilities on May 1, 2023. Current CEO John Ruser has served in the position since 2015. John will stay on temporarily as advisor to the CEO to ensure a smooth transition.

“I have been lucky to have spent the last eight years of my 40-year professional career working with Ramona and the fabulous team at WCRI,” said Ruser. “While I plan to stay involved in the industry, I look forward to scaling back a little. In Ramona’s seasoned hands, I know the future is bright for WCRI.”

“I thank John for his outstanding leadership these past eight years, for taking our research and its impact to the next level, and for guiding us through the pandemic,” said Tanabe. “I would also like to thank the WCRI Board of Directors for their faith in me. I look forward to leading my talented and hard-working colleagues in our continuing mission to improve the workers' compensation system for all stakeholders by providing trusted, objective research and analysis.”

Tanabe has held a number of key leadership positions at WCRI, among them leading the Institute’s flagship line of core benchmarking studies, designing and conducting studies on workplace health policy, and managing WCRI’s data collection and technology investments. She has also provided legal counsel, testified at governmental hearings, and managed core operations on behalf of the Institute.

“The Board feels very fortunate to have someone as qualified as Ramona taking the reins,” said Russ Pass, chair of WCRI’s Board of Directors. “She’s been an indispensable element in the Institute’s success for more than two decades. WCRI is in good hands with Ramona.”

WCRI research addresses a wide range of issues of importance to policymakers and stakeholders in the workers’ compensation system. Recent areas of focus include the impact of long COVID in the workers’ compensation system, social determinants of worker health, the impact of drug formularies, consolidation of care, and prescription drug regulations. WCRI research findings are regularly cited by policymakers in hearings and debates and serve as a primary source of ideas for employers and service providers seeking to improve worker outcomes.

“WCRI’s work is highly relevant, well-respected, and impactful. The Institute is well-positioned to continue its successes and take on new challenges under Ramona’s leadership,” remarked Michele Adams, the vice-chair of the WCRI Board of Directors. “This is an excellent time for employers and states to get more involved with WCRI.”

About WCRI

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Cambridge, MA. Organized in 1983, the Institute does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures. WCRI's diverse membership includes employers; insurers; governmental entities; managed care companies; health care providers; insurance regulators; state labor organizations; and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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