Institute of Medicine

Background

The Institute of Medicine was chartered in 1970 and in its website states that the American 'nation turns to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies for science-based advice on matters of biomedical science, medicine, and health'.

The IOM describes itself as a nonprofit organization which 'provides a vital service by working outside the framework of government to ensure scientifically informed analysis and independent guidance. The IOM's mission is to serve as adviser to the nation to improve health. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large'.

People

The IOM is governed by a 'Council' of members. In 2008, the Council is reported to include...

• Huda Akil
• Drew E Altman
• Helen M Blau
• Christine K Cassel
• Gail H Cassell
• Victor J Dzau
• Helene D Gayle
• Margaret A Hamburg
• Martha N Hill
• Peter S Kim
• Jeffrey P Koplan
• Alan I Leshner
• Richard P Lifton
• Bernard Lo
• Elizabeth G Nabel
• Philip A Pizzo
• Susan C Scrimshaw
• Judith L Swain
• A Eugene Washington
• Nancy S Wexler
• Jo Ivey Boufford - ex officio to Council (non-voting)
• Stephen J Ryan - ex officio to Council (non-voting)

• Mary Lake Polan, Board of Directors member for Wyeth pharmaceutical company, is reported to have served on the Council of the Institute of Medicine. Polan is also a Director of Quidel Corporation and Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and 'a member of many professional societies' who's names are not disclosed. Polan's biography goes on to describe how she 'has served on numerous medical and health committees, including the National Institutes of Health, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protection (SACHRP) for the Department of Health and Human Services'.