Regents’ professor Julie Baldwin inducted into National Academy of Medicine
U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM) President Victor J. Dzau opened the 2022 Class Member induction ceremony with humor.
“This class is the very best… I said that to last year’s class too, but every class is the very best,” joked NAM President Dzau. “Our members are highly distinguished, and they are chosen because of the achievement and excellence they represent in the field of health and biomedical sciences from basic translational clinical research to great clinicians to experts and leaders in global public health.”
In October 2023, Dr. Julie Baldwin, founding and Executive Director of NAU’s Center for Health Equity Research (CHER), became one of the newest members inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM). NAM membership stands as one of the most prestigious accolades in health and medicine, acknowledging individuals who have shown exceptional professional accomplishments and strong dedication to service.
She is the first NAM member at NAU, and one of few from the state of Arizona. Baldwin, who is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is also one of the few Native Americans in the academy. She demonstrated her pride in representing Native American membership in the NAM by wearing a traditional Cherokee ribbon skirt at the event.
“It’s such an honor for me to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine,” Baldwin said. “In the past, I had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Population Health and Public Health Practice and the Roundtable on Health Equity of NAM, but never dreamed that I might be nominated by my peers to become a member of NAM.”
She joins 99 exceptional individuals in the 2022 class who, like her, have achieved remarkable professional success and are deeply committed to serving their communities and beyond. Among her in this class of inductees, were Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine. They are recognized for their foundational research into modifying mRNA, which led to the development of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Baldwin’s dedication to health equity
NAM’s mission is to “improve health for all by advancing science, accelerating health equity, and providing independent, authoritative, and trusted advice nationally and globally,” which mirrors Dr. Baldwin’s vision for the research organizations she spearheads.
Dr. Baldwin has received recognition for her groundbreaking work in the field of public health. Her internationally acclaimed research has focused on creating community-driven programs to prevent HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among Indigenous youth, not only in the United States but worldwide.
Additionally, she is acknowledged for her role in establishing innovative programs that promote public health research and training, providing new pathways and opportunities for scientists from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
As part of her role in the Center for Health Equity Research, Dr. Baldwin serves as the principal investigator for the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative (SHERC). This flagship initiative, under her guidance, seeks to enhance biomedical, clinical, and behavioral research at NAU that benefits diverse populations of the southwestern United States. The center was renewed just last year with a $21M grant to continue pioneering work into health equity in the Southwest.
Dr. Baldwin’s achievements remind us that one person’s dedication can make a significant difference in promoting health equity. Her work is not only a source of pride for her colleagues and the scientific community but also a guiding light for those who seek to create a healthier, more equitable world. We look forward to seeing her continued impact and the positive changes she will bring as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
“I am truly grateful to my colleagues who nominated me and to my family, friends, coworkers, and community partners who have supported me so much during my career. I look forward to continuing to represent NAU and to advocate for our local communities on a national level, to mentoring early career scholars and to paving the way for others to become members of the National Academies.”