Honored for Advancement of Medical Sciences
Dean Nancy Messonnier inducted into the National Academy of Medicine
Dean Nancy Messonnier inducted into the National Academy of Medicine
Nancy Messonnier, MD, Dean and Bryson Distinguished Professor in Public Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). This election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.
The academy recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service throughout their careers. New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the National Academy of Medicine,” she said. “I worked with NAM members when I was at the CDC and they have always taken on the most important topics of the day. NAM has played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a non-conflicted, independent scientific body with experts from a range of fields thinking deeply on essential issues.”
Messonnier’s many accomplishments include leadership roles in developing and implementing a low-cost vaccine to prevent epidemic meningitis in Africa; in responding to the 2001 anthrax attacks; and in promoting vaccine confidence and addressing disparities in immunization coverage.
She also led the NCIRD response to the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as the CDC’s chief architect on the vaccine implementation program that helped to develop, evaluate and distribute vaccines across the United States.
