Rowena Matthews elected to Institute of Medicine
October 18, 2004 - Life Sciences Institute faculty member Rowena G. Matthews was elected to The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies October 18, 2004 along with 64 other new members, raising the Institute's total active membership to 1,416.
Matthews is the G. Robert Greenberg Distinguished University Professor of Biological Chemistry and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. She is the second LSI faculty member following David Ginsburg to be named to the Institute of Medicine.
"It is a great pleasure to welcome these distinguished and influential individuals to the Institute of Medicine," said IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg. "Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health."
Current active members elect new members from among candidates nominated for their professional achievement and commitment to service. An unusual diversity of talent is assured by the Institute's charter, which stipulates that at least one-quarter of the membership be selected from outside the health professions, from such fields as the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as law, administration, engineering, and the humanities.
The Institute of Medicine is unique for its structure as both an honorific membership organization and an advisory organization. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute has become recognized as a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on issues related to human health. With their election, members make a commitment to devote a significant amount of volunteer time as members of IOM committees, which engage in a broad range of studies on health policy issues.
Other newly elected members of the Institute of Medicine from UM are:
- Paula G. Allen-Meares, Ph.D., Dean and Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work
- Michael W. Mulholland, M.D., Ph.D., Frederick A. Coller Distinguished Professor of Surgery, and Chair, Department of Surgery
