Monica Bertagnolli Begins Her Presidency in the National Academy of Medicine

Monica Bertagnolli, MD, has begun her six-year term as president of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

About the role

Dr. Bertagnolli succeeds Victor J. Dzau, MD, who led the Academy for 12 years. Her appointment marks a new chapter for NAM at a time when health systems are confronting rising chronic disease burdens, increasing costs, persistent inequities, and rapid advances in biomedical science.

An Oncologist at the Helm

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli enters the presidency with deep roots in cancer care and research. A surgical oncologist and translational researcher, she has spent her career caring for patients with cancer while leading major clinical research collaborations.

• Previously served as Director of the National Cancer Institute and later as Director of the National Institutes of Health.
• Her research has contributed to understanding the role of genetics and inflammation in gastrointestinal cancers and soft-tissue sarcomas.

Bridging the Laboratory, Clinic, and Community

In her first message as NAM president, Dr. Bertagnolli reflected on the perspective that has shaped her career: the extraordinary promise of biomedical discovery, alongside the gaps that remain in access to care and health outcomes.

The challenge is to deliver better health for everyone by bridging the gap between the laboratory, the clinic, and every community.

For oncology, that message carries particular relevance. Cancer research has produced increasingly precise diagnostics, targeted therapies, cellular treatments, and data-driven care models. However, access to clinical trials, specialized treatment centers, early detection, and high-quality supportive care remains uneven across regions and populations.

All Health Is Local

Raised in a rural community where access to health care could not be assumed, Dr. Bertagnolli said her experience has reinforced the importance of community-centered medicine.

She called for research and health care to be participatory and rooted in the realities of the people they are designed to serve.

A Collaborative Role for the National Academy of Medicine

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli described NAM as uniquely positioned to bring together the sectors that influence health and medicine. As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, NAM convenes scientific experts, clinicians, policymakers, public health leaders, and community voices to address complex challenges.

Her presidency is expected to place strong emphasis on translating research discoveries into practical improvements in care, strengthening the use of health data, and ensuring that advances reach communities that have historically been left behind.

She also acknowledged the legacy of Dr. Dzau, crediting his leadership with strengthening NAM’s role as a trusted voice during a period of major change in health and medicine.

"I am grateful for his clear vision and the strong foundation he has left for us to build on," Dr. Bertagnolli said.