Full Breakdown
Notable Elections to the National Academy of Medicine in 2025
10/21/2025, 2:07:28 AM
Overview of the 2025 Elections
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has announced the election of 100 new members, including 90 from the United States and 10 international members. This prestigious recognition honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of medical sciences, health care, and public health. With this latest election, NAM's total membership exceeds 2,500, which includes over 200 international members.
Key New Members and Their Contributions
Among the newly elected members are several distinguished professionals from various institutions:
- Dr. Peter A. Calabresi from the Larner College of Medicine, recognized for his leadership in multiple sclerosis research.
- President Sian Leah Beilock and Carrie Colla from Dartmouth, noted for their contributions to cognitive science and health economics, respectively.
- Wendy Garrett, a professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, acknowledged for her research on microbiomes and their impact on health.
- Sing Sing Way from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, honored for his work in reproductive and developmental biology.
- S. Thomas Carmichael, Paul W. Noble, and Ninez A. Ponce from UCLA, recognized for their transformative research in neurology, pulmonary medicine, and health policy, respectively.
- Darius Lakdawalla from USC, noted for his innovative approaches to health care value assessment.
- Martina Brueckner, Lieping Chen, and Tamas Horvath from Yale, recognized for their groundbreaking research in cardiology, cancer immunology, and metabolism.
- John C. Byrd from the University of Pittsburgh, celebrated for his contributions to cancer research.
- Karel Svoboda and Jay Shendure from the Allen Institute and the University of Washington, respectively, acknowledged for their advancements in neuroscience and genomics.
- Edwin Stone from the University of Iowa, recognized for his pioneering work in ophthalmic genetics.
- Robert L. Ferris and Samantha Meltzer-Brody from UNC Health, honored for their leadership in oncology and women's mental health.
Official Statements and Responses
Victor J. Dzau, president of NAM, expressed his honor in welcoming the new members, emphasizing their excellence in addressing public health challenges and advancing health policy. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Rogers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital were similarly praised by James R. Downing, who highlighted their contributions to medical mycology and neuroscience.
Criticism & Opposition
While the election of new members is generally celebrated, some critics argue that the selection process could benefit from greater transparency regarding how nominees are evaluated and chosen. Concerns have been raised about ensuring diversity in the representation of various fields within health and medicine.
What's Next
The newly elected members will contribute their expertise to NAM's activities, which include providing independent analysis and advice on critical health issues. Their involvement is expected to enhance the academy's mission of improving health outcomes and informing public policy.
Conclusion
The 2025 elections to the National Academy of Medicine reflect a commitment to recognizing outstanding achievements in health and medicine. The diverse backgrounds and research areas of the new members underscore the academy's role in addressing complex health challenges and advancing medical knowledge.
