Joel J. Nobel, M.D. 1934 – 2014 Dr Joel Nobel, an extremely well known industry pioneer, passed away on August 13, 2014 at the age of 79. Joel J. Nobel, M.D. was Founder and President Emeritus of ECRI Institute, a U.S. based, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization engaged in health services research. He developed ECRI Institute's overall policies and programs, such as its healthcare technology assessment, product evaluation, risk management, and technical assistance services for the health community. He created the concepts and operating plans for Health Devices, Health Devices Alerts, Health Devices Sourcebook, Healthcare Product Comparison System, and many other ECRI Institute publications. He also developed ECRI Institute's international programs and its related World Health Organizati