178th Anniversary Discourse, Annual Awards, & Meeting of the Fellows
An Evening of Celebration and Insight
The 178th Anniversary Discourse & Annual Meeting of the Fellows was an inspiring success, uniting over 400 guests to honor distinguished leaders, welcome our largest and most diverse class of new Fellows and Members, and engage in vital discourse on the future of health.
View the Evening’s Photo Gallery
An Evening of Unprecedented Milestones
This year’s gathering was a testament to our vibrant community. We celebrated several remarkable achievements that underscore our commitment to progress and collaboration.
Our Largest and Most Diverse Class
We proudly inducted 131 new Fellows, Members, and Student Members. This new cohort represents leaders from every corner of the health ecosystem, united in their passion for creating a healthier world.
Honoring Extraordinary Leaders
The Academy recognized five exceptional health leaders for their profound contributions to science, policy, and public health, celebrating their dedication to improving lives:
- Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA – 18th U.S. Surgeon General
Recipient of the Medal for Health Policy
- Jennifer Doudna, PhD – Nobel laureate in chemistry
Recipient of the Medal for Biomedical Science
- Peter Jay Hotez, MD, PhD – Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
Recipient of the Stephen Smith Medal for Contributions in Public Health
- Timothy R. B. Johnson, MD – Bates Professor of the Diseases of Women and Children and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan
Posthumous recipient of the Stearns Medal for Clinical Practice
- Mary Woolley – President and CEO, Research!America
Recipient of the Medal for Health Policy
We also honored The Carnegie Corporation of New York and The Rockefeller Foundation with a plaque for Exceptional Service to the Academy for their visionary support nearly a century ago to establish our building on Fifth Avenue.
Fostering Insightful Discourse
A distinguished panel of journalists and health experts led a timely and compelling discussion on combating health misinformation. Participants included:
- Harriet Washington – Author, Lecturer in Bioethics at Columbia University, and Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine
- Dhruv Khullar, MD, MPP – Associate Professor of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College; Contributing Writer, The New Yorker
- Brian Lehrer – Host, The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC
- Apoorva Mandavilli – Science and Global Health Reporter, The New York Times
The conversation reinforced the critical role of trusted institutions in communicating scientific truths with clarity and compassion.
Relive the Memorable Moments
Our 178th Annual Meeting was filled with inspiration and connection. We invite you to explore the photo gallery to see the highlights.