Dartmouth College proudly announces a monumental honor for its leadership and faculty: President Sian Leah Beilock and Geisel School of Medicine health economist Carrie Colla ’01 have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM). This distinction, considered one of the pinnacle achievements in the fields of health and medicine, recognizes individuals who have made transformative contributions to advancing medical sciences, healthcare, and public health. Their induction signifies not only their profound individual impact but also underscores Dartmouth’s unwavering commitment to pioneering research and innovation that addresses the world’s most pressing health challenges.
The Pinnacle of Recognition: Understanding the National Academy of Medicine
Membership in the National Academy of Medicine is among the highest accolades a professional can receive in health and medical fields. Established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine (IOM), it operates under the same congressional charter granted to the National Academy of Sciences in 1863, advising the nation on science, technology, and medicine. The rigorous selection process involves current members electing new inductees based on their exceptional professional achievements and sustained commitment to service. This year, President Beilock and Professor Colla join a distinguished cohort of 90 American and 10 international inductees, becoming part of an elite community of over 2,500 scholars, innovators, and leaders dedicated to improving global health since the academy’s inception.
President Sian Leah Beilock: Unlocking Peak Performance Under Pressure
President Sian Leah Beilock, a renowned cognitive scientist and Dartmouth’s 19th president, is celebrated for her groundbreaking research into how the brain and body interact under pressure. Her work fundamentally advances our understanding of skill learning and performance, particularly why individuals “choke” in high-stakes situations like test-taking, public speaking, or collaborative efforts. Beilock’s extensive studies, often involving brain scans, reveal that performance anxiety can trigger neural responses akin to physical pain, directly impairing focus and hindering performance, independent of an individual’s innate ability.
Her influential insights are detailed in her two acclaimed books: How the Body Knows Its Mind: The Surprising Power of the Physical Environment to Influence How You Think and Feel and Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To. Beilock has also authored over 120 scholarly papers and delivered a highly viewed TED Talk on performing under pressure. Beyond her research, she advocates for fostering “brave spaces” where individuals can practice new skills and reinterpret anxiety’s physiological signs as readiness indicators. Her leadership extends to crucial initiatives like the EDGE Consortium, aimed at increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the semiconductor industry. Beilock’s previous honors include induction into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2024 and receiving the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences in 2017. Expressing her gratitude, Beilock stated her pride in joining an intellectual community committed to translating rigorous scientific research into practices that genuinely improve societal health and wellness.
Professor Carrie Colla: Pioneering Value-Driven Healthcare Reform
Carrie Colla ’01, the Susan J. and Richard M. Levy Distinguished Professor at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, is a leading health economist whose work is reshaping the landscape of healthcare delivery and financing. Professor Colla’s research is lauded for its “pathbreaking and influential” documentation of how payment policies impact health outcomes, healthcare spending, and inequality. Her expertise lies in designing value-driven healthcare models that effectively align physician payment and delivery system reforms with tangible improvements in patient outcomes and reductions in costs.
Beyond her academic contributions, Professor Colla has a distinguished record in public service. From 2021 to 2023, she directed the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Division of Health Analysis, where she provided crucial nonpartisan analysis to inform federal health legislation. Her prior experience includes participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowship Program and collaborating with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services on Medicaid initiatives. A Dartmouth alumna with a background in economics, Colla has published over 100 scholarly papers and was recognized as an Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Scholar by NAM in 2020. Deeply honored by the recognition, Professor Colla emphasized that this affirmation of her research and policy efforts highlights Dartmouth’s vital role in bridging academic insights with real-world impact to shape the future of health care. She also gratefully acknowledged the invaluable mentorship from the Dartmouth and Geisel community, specifically naming Joanne Conroy ’77, Jonathan Skinner, and Elliott Fisher, who are also esteemed NAM members.
Dartmouth’s Enduring Legacy in Health and Medicine
The dual election of President Beilock and Professor Colla powerfully reaffirms Dartmouth’s long-standing excellence and commitment to advancing health and medical sciences. Steven Leach, interim dean of Geisel and himself a 2023 NAM inductee, underscored this sentiment, noting that the recognition by such a prestigious institution highlights Dartmouth’s dedication to research, policy, and education that significantly improves lives. Their induction not only elevates the entire Dartmouth community but also reinforces the institution’s robust presence within the National Academy of Medicine.
Dartmouth boasts a rich history of its faculty and alumni being recognized by the NAM. In addition to Joanne Conroy, Jonathan Skinner, Elliott Fisher, and Interim Dean Leach, other distinguished Dartmouth-affiliated NAM members include:
Paul Batalden, Professor of Pediatrics Emeritus
Albert Mulley, Professor of Medicine
Harold Sox, Professor of Medicine Emeritus
Douglas Staiger, the John Sloan Dickey Third Century Professor in the Social Sciences
Andrew Wallace, Professor of Medicine Emeritus
James Weinstein, Professor of Orthopaedics Emeritus
- Michael Zubkoff, Professor of Community and Family Medicine
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Furthermore, the election of alumna Andrea Hayes Dixon ’87, MED ’91, dean of Howard University College of Medicine and the first Black woman pediatric surgeon in the U.S., further illustrates Dartmouth’s broad impact across the national health landscape.
Beyond the Honor: Impact on Research and Policy
The election of President Beilock and Professor Colla to the National Academy of Medicine extends far beyond individual recognition. It serves as a powerful testament to Dartmouth’s institutional prowess in fostering cutting-edge research that addresses critical societal needs. For President Beilock, her cognitive science expertise offers profound implications for mental wellness, educational strategies, and leadership development, demonstrating how psychological principles can enhance performance across diverse domains. For Professor Colla, her work directly influences healthcare policy, aiming for more equitable, accessible, and cost-effective systems that benefit millions. These inductions reinforce Dartmouth’s reputation as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation, attracting top talent and reinforcing its role in shaping national and global conversations around health, medicine, and human potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of being elected to the National Academy of Medicine?
Being elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) represents one of the highest professional honors in the fields of health and medicine. It signifies that an individual has made major, sustained contributions to the advancement of medical sciences, healthcare, and public health. Members are chosen by their peers through a rigorous evaluation process based on distinguished achievements. This recognition underscores an individual’s profound expertise and commitment to public service, placing them among an elite group tasked with advising the nation on critical health matters and influencing policy.
How do President Beilock’s and Professor Colla’s research areas contribute to public health?
President Sian Leah Beilock, a cognitive scientist, contributes to public health by illuminating how stress and anxiety impact performance and decision-making, offering strategies to optimize human potential in high-pressure environments. Her work has implications for mental wellness, educational outcomes, and professional effectiveness. Professor Carrie Colla, a health economist, directly impacts public health through her research on healthcare system reforms, focusing on improving quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Her efforts in value-driven healthcare and payment policy aim to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare spending, ensuring more equitable and efficient health services for all.
What does this recognition mean for Dartmouth’s future in health and medicine?
The election of President Beilock and Professor Colla to the National Academy of Medicine profoundly strengthens Dartmouth’s standing as a leader in health and medicine. This prestigious honor not only celebrates the individual achievements of two key figures but also highlights the institution’s vibrant research environment, attracting top faculty and students. It signals Dartmouth’s continued commitment to addressing complex health challenges through interdisciplinary research and policy influence, reinforcing its role in shaping national conversations and fostering innovations that have a tangible, positive impact on society.
Conclusion
The election of Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock and Geisel School of Medicine Professor Carrie Colla to the National Academy of Medicine is a moment of immense pride and validation for the entire Dartmouth community. Their groundbreaking work in cognitive science and health economics, respectively, exemplifies the kind of impactful, forward-thinking research that defines Dartmouth’s legacy. This distinction elevates their individual contributions to a national stage and firmly cements Dartmouth’s position as a powerhouse of innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to improving health and well-being for all.
