The American Board of Ophthalmology congratulates the following diplomates who were elected to membership of the National Academy of Medicine in 2019. Election to the National Academy of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
Anthony P. Adamis, MD, senior vice president, development innovation, Genentech/Roche; and lecturer in ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, South San Francisco. For co-discovering the key role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eye disease, and obtaining FDA approval for the first anti-VEGF drug in ophthalmology, which treats millions of people annually.
Julia A. Haller, MD, ophthalmologist-in-chief and William Tasman M.D. Endowed Chair, Wills Eye Hospital; and professor and chair, department of ophthalmology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. For innovating translational advances against blindness on many fronts, including sustained drug delivery devices, ocular pharmacotherapy, retinal “chip” implants, gene therapy, telemedicine, and combating health care disparities.
New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulate that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. The newly elected members bring NAM’s total membership to more than 2,200 and the number of international members to approximately 180.
Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy and inspires positive actions across sectors. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding. With their election, NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their service in National Academies activities.