Cheryl Giscombé elected to National Academy of Medicine
The academy honored the School of Nursing distinguished professor for groundbreaking work in mental health equity.
Cheryl L. Woods Giscombé of the UNC School of Nursing was one of 100 honorees elected to the National Academy of Medicine at its annual meeting Oct. 9. Giscombé is the school’s interim senior associate dean for academic affairs and the Levine Family Distinguished Professor of Quality of Life, Health Promotion and Wellness.
Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Giscombé has influenced national guidelines as a leading scholar on mental health, resilience, clinician wellness and mind-body research. Her groundbreaking accomplishments include the development of the Interprofessional Leadership Institute for Mental Health Equity, the “Superwoman Schema” theory and biopsychosocial solutions for stress-related health inequities.
New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulate that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences and the humanities.
“Cheryl’s election to the National Academy of Medicine is a testament to her remarkable dedication and contributions to the field of nursing and health care,” said nursing Dean Val Howard. “Her research, which focuses on testing culturally relevant social support, stress management, and mindfulness tools to reduce cardiometabolic illnesses in African American women, embodies the core values of Carolina Nursing, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements.”
NAM President Victor J. Dzau emphasized the significance of this election. “It is my honor to welcome this truly exceptional class of new members to the National Academy of Medicine. Their contributions to health and medicine are unparalleled, and their leadership and expertise will be essential to helping the NAM tackle today’s urgent health challenges, inform the future of health care and ensure health equity for the benefit of all around the globe.”
Established as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine plays a vital role in addressing critical issues in health, science, medicine and related policy. NAM collaborates with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation, contributing to the resolution of complex problems and informing public policy decisions. Moreover, NAM actively encourages education and research, acknowledges outstanding contributions to knowledge, and strives to increase public understanding of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
Giscombé’s election to the National Academy of Medicine signifies her commitment to volunteering her expertise and service in National Academies activities, furthering the institution’s mission to make a lasting impact on health and medicine.
