DURHAM, N.H. — Ned Helms, director of the Institute for Health Policy and Practice (IHPP) at the University of New Hampshire, will retire May 15, 2015. He has held that position since becoming the institute's founding director in 2001.

Helms arrived at UNH as an 'army of one.' For the past 13 years he has provided leadership for the institute by overseeing its continued growth and direction, investigating and pursuing the development of research and demonstration projects, and facilitating collaborative linkages with health and health policy organizations throughout New Hampshire and New England. Under his leadership, the institute has grown to include 26 staff who conduct health and health policy research at the state, regional and national level.

"Under Ned's leadership and direction, the institute has gained national recognition for its work in the areas of health policy, analytics and applied research," said Lisa MacFarlane, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "His vision and vast experience has brought a high level of prominence and creditability to IHPP."

Helms' experience spans the health policy field and includes serving as a legislative and administrative assistant for health policy within the U.S. Senate, commissioner of the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, founder and president of a health policy consulting firm, and chief administrative officer of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Hampshire.

"What sets Ned apart from others is his enthusiasm and passion for his work, which has fostered many successful partnerships and collaborations. We are grateful for his dedication and many contributions to improving our health care system," said Mike Ferrara, UNH College of Health and Human Services dean and Kent P. Falb Professor of Kinesiology.

Jo Porter, deputy director of the institute, will serve as interim director during the search. Porter has worked for the institute overseeing operational functions since 2007. The College of Health and Human Services will begin the search for a permanent director in the fall of 2015.

On April 15, UNH will host a celebration event in Concord to recognize Helms' many contributions over the past 40 years in New Hampshire and beyond. The UNH College of Health and Human Services will create the Ned Helms Scholarship Fund in honor of Ned's past and ongoing work in the health and human services field. Gifts made to the fund will provide critical financial support to deserving students - and to future health care policy leaders. For more information, contact John Bunker at (603) 862-1897.

TheInstitute for Health Policy and Practice at the University of New Hampshire is an applied research institute, established in 1999, to conduct and disseminate high-quality, cutting-edge applied research and policy work that enables health system partners to implement evidence-based strategies to improve public health. www.chhs.unh.edu/ihpp

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

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Caption: Ned Helms director of the Institute for Health Policy and Practice (IHPP) at the University of New Hampshire