Election of New Members to the National Academy of Medicine
WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recently shared the news that 90 new regular members and 10 international members have been elected during its annual meeting. Being inducted into the Academy is seen as one of the highest accolades in health and medicine, celebrating individuals who have shown exceptional professional achievements and dedication to service.
“It’s truly an honor to welcome these remarkable leaders and researchers in health and medicine into the National Academy of Medicine,” expressed NAM President Victor J. Dzau. “Their expertise in addressing public health issues, driving significant discoveries, enhancing healthcare, shaping health policies, and tackling health equity is vital. It will certainly bolster our capacity to confront the urgent health challenges we face today.”
Elections are carried out by current members and focus on individuals who have made significant contributions to medical sciences, healthcare, and public health. To ensure a wide range of expertise, at least a quarter of the members are chosen from outside the healthcare professions—this can include individuals from law, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. With this new induction, NAM’s total number of members has surpassed 2,500, comprising over 200 international members.
The National Academy of Medicine, originally founded as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, tackles pivotal issues in health, science, medicine, and associated policies. It inspires actionable progress across sectors and works in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to offer independent analysis and advice. The National Academies promote education and research, honor remarkable accomplishments, and enhance public understanding of STEMM. By becoming members, the newly elected commit to volunteering their expertise in National Academies projects.
The new regular members of the National Academy of Medicine, along with their respective contributions, include:
Omar Abdel-Wahab, MD, chair of the pharmacology program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, New York City. Recognized for breakthroughs in understanding genetic causes of various blood cancers and developing therapeutic methods to improve clinical care.
Mohammed K. Ali, MD, MSc, MBA, distinguished professor of Global Health at Emory University, Atlanta. Honored for his leadership in diabetes care surveillance and research that translates into practical community and clinical solutions.
Andrea A. Anderson, MD, MEd, associate professor at George Washington University. Noted for her leadership in family medicine for underserved populations and her significant contributions to medical education standards.
International members elected include:
Naeemah Abrahams, PhD, MPH, a leading researcher on femicide in Africa, recognized for her work in reducing rates of intimate partner violence.
Ibrahim Abubakar, FMedSci, PhD, vice provost and professor at University College London, noted for contributions in tuberculosis research and health policy impact in Nigeria.
Others, like Facundo Damian Batista and Jie He, have made significant strides in understanding immune responses and cancer treatment, respectively.
In summary, the new members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the National Academy of Medicine. Their collective efforts will undoubtedly contribute to important advancements in public health and medical research.
