Eric Dishman

Eric Dishman is a social scientist, health technology innovator, and patient advocate whose career has been shaped by both personal experience and professional expertise in precision medicine and digital health. Diagnosed at age 19 with a rare form of kidney cancer, Dishman underwent treatment at 17 hospitals and clinics across eight states, including more than 60 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Access to precision medicine research and individualized data ultimately led to a successful kidney transplant and recovery, influencing his commitment to advancing patient-centered care and health technology.

Dishman spent more than 15 years at Intel Corporation, where he served as Intel Fellow and Vice President of the Health and Life Sciences Group. His work at Intel was grounded in ethnographic fieldwork with patients and providers in over 30 countries. He contributed to the development of open platforms and open-source tools for researchers, including wearable and in-home technologies for movement disorders and big data platforms for cancer genomics. Dishman also co-founded research and policy organizations focused on independent living and aging, such as the TRIL Center, the Center for Aging Services Technologies program, and the Oregon Center for Aging & Technology.

Dishman was appointed to lead the cohort program of the Precision Medicine Initiative and served as the founding director of the All of Us Research Program, where he oversaw national recruitment and data collection efforts. He later became the program’s first chief innovation officer, responsible for strategic planning and the development of new programs and products. Dishman has advocated for more than 1,100 cancer and kidney patients and contributed his whole-genome data to survivor studies to advance genomics research.

As a public speaker and thought leader in health care innovation, Dishman has delivered TED Talks, including "Health Care Should Be a Team Sport" and "Escaping One-Size-Fits-All Medicine with Your Life." He has presented at the Consumer Electronics Show, the White House Conference on Aging, and the World Health Organization. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Businessweek, and The Wall Street Journal recognized him as one of "12 People Who Are Changing Your Retirement." Dishman continues to advocate for precision medicine, patient empowerment, and the integration of technology in health care.