National Academy of Medicine Welcomes 100 New Members — Class of 2025 Advances Health and Science

The **National Academy of Medicine (NAM)**, previously known as the Institute of Medicine (IOM), is a prestigious nonprofit organization that plays a crucial role in advancing health and medicine globally. Founded in 1970 under the congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the NAM is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering[1][4][5]. ## History and Purpose The NAM was established to provide independent, evidence-based advice on health issues, drawing from the expertise of distinguished scientists and medical professionals[2][4]. Initially, it faced skepticism from the National Academy of Sciences due to concerns about duplication of efforts with the existing National Research Council's Division of Medical Sciences[3]. Despite these challenges, the NAM has evolved into a leading authority in health policy and research. ## Key Achievements Over the years, the NAM has made significant contributions to public health, including shaping the response to HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Zika outbreaks, and influencing the quality and safety movement in U.S. healthcare[2]. It has also played a critical role in advising on the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects Today, the NAM continues to champion scientific discovery and policy development aimed at improving global health equity[4]. It operates through a peer-review system, annually electing new members based on their achievements and commitment to volunteer service[5]. The organization is renowned for its awards, such as the Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health[5]. In 2015, the organization was reconstituted as the National Academy of Medicine, marking a new chapter in its mission to advance health for all[5]. The NAM remains a trusted advisor to governments and global health organizations, leveraging its expertise to address emerging health challenges and inspire innovative solutions in the healthcare sector.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU), founded in 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland, is America’s first research university and a global leader in higher education, particularly recognized for its integration of teaching and research[1][2][4]. Named after philanthropist Johns Hopkins, whose historic $7 million endowment established the institution, JHU pioneered the research university model in the United States, which combines rigorous scholarship with practical innovation[2][4]. The university operates across multiple campuses in Maryland and Washington, D.C., with international centers in Italy, China, and Singapore, serving over 24,000 students in more than 260 programs spanning arts, sciences, engineering, business, and health professions[1][5]. Its selectivity is high, with an acceptance rate around 7.5% and admitted students typically ranking in the top 10% of their high school class[3][5]. Johns Hopkins is renowned for its leadership in biomedical engineering, ranked #1 nationally, and holds top positions in biocomputer science, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence[3][7][9]. The Whiting School of Engineering exemplifies this with decades of pioneering work in medical device development in collaboration with the nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital[3]. The university has produced 27 Nobel laureates, including former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, and has been the leading recipient of federal research funding for over 40 years, fostering breakthroughs in medicine, public health, and technology[1][2][4]. Notable achievements include innovations like CPR, water purification, corrective heart surgery for infants, and public health interventions such as vitamin A supplementation and seat belt advocacy[4]. Its commitment to undergraduate research is exceptional, with over 90% of students involved in research projects, contributing to its ranking among the top U.S. institutions for innovation, social mobility, and academic excellence[7]. JHU’s global outlook is strengthened by a diverse international community and extensive globa

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a leading academic health system based in Nashville, Tennessee, renowned for its comprehensive patient care, cutting-edge research, and medical education. Established formally in 1925 with the opening of Medical Center North on its main campus, VUMC has since expanded significantly to become one of the largest and most prestigious academic medical centers in the Southeastern United States[1][4][7]. VUMC provides a wide range of clinical services, including one of two Level 1 Trauma Centers in the region, the only Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the only Level 3 Burn Unit. Its organ transplantation program is highly advanced, having performed over 3,000 kidney transplants, 2,000 liver transplants, and 600 heart and lung transplants, including pioneering procedures such as Tennessee’s first pancreas transplant and the state's first successful heart-lung transplant. In 2024, it set a world record with 174 heart transplants in one year[6]. Research is a cornerstone of VUMC’s mission. The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, founded in 1993, is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the only such center in Tennessee providing both adult and pediatric cancer care. It is part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which focuses on improving cancer care quality and efficiency[3][6]. VUMC's history includes Nobel laureates Earl Sutherland and Stanley Cohen, whose foundational research in cell signaling advanced treatment for cancer and other diseases[4]. VUMC also includes the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, which evolved from pediatric care within the main hospital to a stand-alone facility opened in 2004 through significant philanthropic support. The hospital is nationally recognized for specialized pediatric care and innovative treatments dating back to pioneering polio wards in the 1950s and neonatal respiratory therapies in the 1960s[2][6].

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas in Memphis, Tennessee, is a world-leading pediatric research institution dedicated to curing catastrophic childhood diseases, especially cancer[2][3][4]. Its mission is to advance cures and prevention through innovative research and treatment, ensuring no child is denied care based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay[1][2][9]. St. Jude is unique as the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center solely focused on children[3]. Historically, St. Jude revolutionized pediatric cancer treatment with its Total Therapy clinical trials, which combined multiple drugs and radiation to prevent relapse. This approach dramatically raised survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% at its founding to over 90% today[4]. Over six decades, St. Jude's research has contributed broadly to understanding cancer biology, infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, and genetic blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and severe combined immunodeficiency[4]. Currently, St. Jude integrates cutting-edge multidisciplinary research and clinical care, enrolling nearly 60% of newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients in clinical trials initiated by its own investigators[3]. The hospital employs advanced digital transformation strategies to enhance patient and family experiences, such as the "Our St. Jude" app, which streamlines care coordination and provides personalized support, reflecting the institution's commitment to empathy and innovation[8]. St. Jude’s impact extends globally through its St. Jude Global Alliance, aiming to improve childhood cancer survival worldwide by sharing knowledge and technology[5][7]. The hospital operates with core values emphasizing purpose, collaboration, integrity, and urgency, which empower employees to drive its mission of saving children’s lives and pushing the boundaries of pediatric healthcare[6]. St. Jude remains a beacon of hope and a model of combining scientific excellence with compassionate care in pediatric medicine and technology-driven patient support.