News for Immediate Release
Oct. 29, 2026
Harrisburg, Oct. 29 – The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Scott W. Cowan, MD, FACS, healthcare executive and thoracic surgeon who serves as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Quality Officer (CQO) at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc.; and Nancy A. Garrett, Ph.D., Vice President of Provider and Market Analytics at Highmark Health. Their appointments were formally approved by the Council on Sept. 3, 2026.
TAG plays a vital role in addressing complex analytical and methodological issues that arise from PHC4’s work. In this capacity, Cowan and Garrett will join a respected panel of physicians, researchers, biostatisticians and healthcare organization representatives committed to strengthening healthcare transparency for Pennsylvanians. The group reviews critical healthcare measurement strategies and provides guidance on research design, statistical analysis and risk‑adjustment methodology, offering rigorous recommendations to ensure the integrity of PHC4’s data and reports.
“We are confident that their experience and expertise will make a valuable contribution to the continued efforts of TAG to advise the Council and uphold the highest standards of rigor and integrity in our data and reporting initiatives,” said Barry D. Buckingham, PHC4’s Executive Director.
Cowan and Garrett bring deep expertise that will enhance TAG’s impact and oversight. Garrett shared that she looks forward to advancing PHC4’s mission, noting, “This is more important than ever now, and we have a huge opportunity to leverage this collaborative to make a difference.” Cowan echoed her sentiments and expressed enthusiasm about contributing his clinical and quality-improvement expertise to the group.
PHC4 is an independent council formed under Pennsylvania statute (Act 89 of 1986, as amended by Act 15 of 2020) in order to address rapidly growing healthcare costs. PHC4 continues to produce comparative information about the most efficient and effective healthcare to individual consumers and group purchasers of health services. In addition, PHC4 produces information used to identify opportunities to contain costs and improve the quality of care delivered.
Media contact:
Barry D. Buckingham, Executive Director, PHC4
