National Academy of Medicine Names Seven NAM Fellows for 2026

August 6, 2026

WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has selected seven outstanding health professionals for the 2026 class of NAM fellows. The fellows were chosen for their professional qualifications, reputations, and accomplishments, and based on the relevance of their current field of expertise to the work of the NAM and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 

The fellows will collaborate with eminent researchers, policy experts, and clinicians from across the country during their two-year fellowship. They will also participate in initiatives convened by the National Academies to provide nonpartisan, evidence-based guidance to policymakers, academic leaders, health care administrators, and the public. 

The 2026 NAM fellows are:

Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) NAM Fellowship

• Rachel Hadler, MD, assistant professor, departments of anesthesiology and family and preventive medicine, Emory University, Atlanta

American Academy of Nursing Fellowship

• Billy A. Caceres, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, associate professor, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York City

James C. Puffer, MD/American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Fellowship

• Anastasia Coutinho, MD, MHS, assistant clinical professor, department of family and community medicine, University of California, San Francisco; and medical consultant, Quality and Health Equity Division, California Department of Health Care Services, Sacramento
• Geoff Gusoff, MD, MBA, MS, MTS, assistant professor, department of family medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles

NAM Fellowship in Osteopathic Medicine

• Andrea C. DeSimone, DO, FAPA, clinical division leader, Mental Health & Wellbeing Division, and department chair of psychiatry, Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover, Del.

NAM Fellowship in Pharmacy

• Andrea Sikora, PharmD, MSCR, associate professor, department of biomedical informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora

NAM Fellowship to Advance State Health Policy

• Laura Hawks, MD, MPH, associate professor, division of general internal medicine, and associate director, Center for Advancing Population Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

“The strength of the NAM begins with bringing the right people to the table — those with deep expertise, a commitment to service, and a willingness to work across disciplines to improve health,” said National Academy of Medicine President Monica M. Bertagnolli. “These seven fellows embody those qualities. I look forward to the perspectives they will bring to our work and to seeing how this experience helps them grow as leaders who can turn evidence into action for people and communities across the country.”

Fellows will continue in their primary academic or research posts while engaging part time over a two-year period in the National Academies’ health and science policy work. They will also work with an expert study committee or roundtable related to their professional interests, including contributing to reports or other products. A flexible research grant will be awarded to each fellow.

The overall purpose of the NAM Fellowship program is to enable talented health science scholars to participate actively in the work of the NAM and the National Academies, and to further their careers as future leaders in the field.

The National Academy of Medicine, established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine, is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. It serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an adviser to the nation and the international community. Through its domestic and global initiatives, the NAM works to address critical issues in health, medicine, and related policy and inspire positive action across sectors. The NAM collaborates closely with its peer academies and other divisions within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Contact:
Dana Korsen
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; email news@nas.edu

THE FOUNDATION FOR ANESTHESIA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (FAER)
FAER is a related foundation of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). For 40 years, FAER has been dedicated to developing the next generation of physician-investigators in anesthesiology. Charitable contributions and support to FAER help fuel the future of anesthesiology through scientific discovery. Funding priorities include: Research, Education, and Training. At the time of this article's publication, FAER has awarded more than $63 million in research grants and programs since 1986. To donate to FAER, visit FAER.org/donate.