Announcement of Retirement – Dr. Brant E. Fries
January 21, 2026
The interRAI Board of Directors announces that Dr. Brant E. Fries, Founding President of interRAI, is retiring from his leadership role. Dr. Fries has the full support of the Board as he focuses on his well‑being, and we express our profound appreciation for his extraordinary global contributions over more than four decades.
Dr. Fries began his academic career in mathematics and earned his PhD in Operations Research from Cornell University in 1972, followed by a Post‑Doctoral Fellowship in health care delivery at Columbia University. He is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, Emeritus Research Professor of Internal Medicine, and Chief of Health Systems Research at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
Internationally renowned for pioneering work in long‑term care funding and assessment, Dr. Fries co-led the development of the Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs) classification methodology used to fund nursing home care in many countries. He also co‑developed the U.S. National Nursing Home Resident Assessment Instrument, foundational to national standards of care.
As Founding President of interRAI, Dr. Fries built and led a global research consortium spanning over 150 researchers in over 40 countries, dedicated to improving care for vulnerable populations across the life course. Under his leadership, interRAI produced the world’s most comprehensive suite of integrated clinical assessment systems, now used routinely in nursing homes, home care, mental health settings, hospitals, and children’s health services worldwide.
Dr. Fries has received numerous honours recognizing the scale and impact of his work, including the 2019 Regents’ Award for Distinguished Public Service from the University of Michigan, the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Waterloo, and the Impact Accelerator Award from the University of Michigan. His scholarly contributions include 38 books and over 150 peer‑reviewed scientific articles, and he has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Long‑Term Care.”
The Board will provide further information about leadership transition and governance continuity in the coming days. interRAI’s mission, scientific vision, and international collaborations remain strong and grounded in the foundations Dr. Fries helped to build.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Fries for his vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication. His influence will continue to shape interRAI and the global health systems it supports for many years to come.