Vidal oversees Advisory Board's health system research—both in the US and abroad. His research on provider network design influenced policy and programs in England's NHS and Ontario, Canada. He led the Advisory Board's first full study on the rising-risk patient cohort—influencing primary care redesign in multiple jurisdictions. Vidal has over 20 studies under his belt ranging from hospital competition and growth to enterprise partnerships to disruptive technologies.

Prior to joining Advisory Board, Vidal was a researcher with the Stimson Center on global health and security. There he participated in the first systematic public review of US foreign assistance for health.