Varsha G. Vimalananda, MD, MPH

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

I am an endocrinologist, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University, and a Physician-Scientist at the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) at the VA Bedford Medical Center. I lead research to improve the quality of specialty health care delivery from patient and clinician perspectives.

My projects include work to:
- Develop and validate survey measures of specialty care coordination from patient and clinician perspectives
- Measure coordination of face-to-face care, telehealth, and cross-system care and examine their influences and outcomes in order to guide improvement work
- Identify and apply strategies to improve the efficiency and experience of e-consults and telehealth
- Ensure a clinical perspective in research on telehealth, secure messaging, text messaging, patient portals, and natural language processing to improve care for patients with diabetes

My research draws on my expertise in survey methods, qualitative methods, care coordination, patient-centered care, and endocrinology subspecialty care. I serve as a subject matter expert as a member of the Endocrine Society Research Affairs Core Committee and also for the American College of Physicians Council of Subspecialty Societies.

Publications

  • Published 4/22/2026

    Vimalananda VG, Kragen B, Leibowitz AJ. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Training Needs for AI in Primary Care: National Survey Study of Clinicians in the Veterans Health Administration. JMIR Form Res. 2026 Apr 22; 10:e90641. PMID: 41894543.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/19/2026

    Zogas A, Vimalananda VG, McCullough MB, Linsky AM, Chatelain LJ, Mattocks KM. A Qualitative Study of the Implementation of Referral Coordination for Specialty Care Referrals in the Veterans Health Administration. Med Care. 2026 May 01; 64(5):326-334. PMID: 41853896.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/29/2026

    Bolton R, Dvorin K, Wu J, Abedin E, Vimalananda V. Expanding whole health access for rural veterans with pain: Virtual hub-and-spoke models. Am J Med. 2026 May; 139(5):659-663. PMID: 41619960.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/13/2026

    Robinson SA, Shell P, Am L, Bilodeau CL, Gordon HS, Uphold CR, Vimalananda VG, Cutrona SL, Hogan TP, Smith B, Shimada SL. Developing a Customizable Texting Intervention for Diabetes Self-Management: Participatory Design Approach. JMIR Form Res. 2026 Jan 13; 10:e83144. PMID: 41528767.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/15/2025

    Kragen B, Resnik J, Vimalananda VG, Sitter KE, Leibowitz AJ, Underwood PC, Kim B. Who is using continuous glucose monitoring for type 2 diabetes management? A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Oct 15; 15(10):e106809. PMID: 41093335.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 79 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Physician-Scientist, Center for Health Optimization & Implementation Research (CHOIR)
    Bedford VA - Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hosp

Websites

Education

  • Drexel University College of Medicine, MD
  • University of California, Berkeley, MPH
  • University of Chicago, BA

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