Dr. Hugh Sampson '71 chief of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology and director of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science. Sampson is known for his research on peanut allergies and is working on a peanut allergy vaccine.
"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 those 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 among members is assured by the Institute's charter, which stipulates that at least one-quarter 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 analytic and 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.
