Sian Leah Beilock, President of Barnard College, and Carrie Colla, a health economist at the Geisel School of Medicine, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. Their induction was announced on October 20, 2023, recognizing their significant contributions to medical sciences and healthcare improvement.
Membership in the NAM highlights individuals who have made substantial advancements in health care and public health. Beilock, known for her pioneering work in cognitive science, has focused on understanding performance under pressure. Colla, the Susan J. and Richard M. Levy Distinguished Professor at the Dartmouth Institute, researches improving healthcare systems’ quality, accessibility, and costs.
Significant Contributions Recognized
This year, 90 American and 10 international members were elected to the academy, which now has over 2,500 distinguished scholars and leaders since its establishment in 1970. Beilock expressed gratitude for the honor, stating, “I am grateful to the academy for their profound vote of confidence in the value of my research.” She emphasized her pride in joining a community dedicated to translating scientific research into practical applications that enhance society’s health and wellness.
Colla echoed similar sentiments, expressing that she is “deeply honored by the recognition” from NAM. She highlighted the importance of her research in bridging academic insights with real-world impacts, stating, “This affirmation of my research and policy efforts is humbling and emphasizes the important work we are doing at Dartmouth to shape the future of healthcare delivery and financing.”
Colla, a Dartmouth alumna who majored in economics, served as the director of the CBO’s Division of Health Analysis from 2021 to 2023. She has participated in programs that connect policy with practice, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowship Program. Her work aims to align physician payments with better patient outcomes and lower costs.
Acknowledgment of Excellence
The NAM recognized Beilock for her innovative research on skill learning and performance, particularly regarding how anxiety affects complex skills such as public speaking and teamwork. She has authored over 120 scholarly papers and two influential books: How the Body Knows Its Mind and Choke.
Colla’s impactful research has focused on how payment policies influence health outcomes and spending, aiming to address issues of inequality in healthcare. Her leadership role at the CBO involved providing nonpartisan analysis to inform federal health legislation.
Steven Leach, interim dean of Geisel and a recent NAM inductee, commented on the significance of this recognition, stating, “The recognition of President Beilock and Professor Carrie Colla by one of the most prestigious institutions in health and medicine underscores Dartmouth’s commitment to advancing research, policy, and education that improves lives.” Leach noted that such acknowledgments elevate the entire Dartmouth community.
In addition to Beilock and Colla, Andrea Hayes Dixon, the dean of Howard University College of Medicine and the first Black woman pediatric surgeon in the United States, was also elected this year. Dixon received an honorary degree from Dartmouth in 2023.
The recent elections to the National Academy of Medicine not only highlight individual achievement but also reflect the collective commitment of institutions like Dartmouth to enhance the fields of health and medicine.
