Earlier, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) was called the Institute of Medicine (IoM) which changed a few years back. NAM is a non-governmental, non-profit American organization which is also a part of National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Research Council (NRC), National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The organization is run, managed and guided by a team of volunteer workforce that comprises of leading national and international scientists. They follow a peer-review system and new members are elected by existing members every year. The members are elected on the basis of their professional achievements, their willingness to work without compensation, and other matters of significance.
The academy works separately, outside the US federal governance framework. It is a membership organization and at the same time a policy research organization that offers advice to national as well as international healthcare organizations. The academy provides unbiased, authoritative, and evidence-based information to professionals, policymakers, and leaders on matters of medicine, health policies, biomedical science and the public health at large.
The scientists of the academy undertake research work and studies to discover new possibilities that can improve healthcare operations. Their initiatives are often requested by the federal government who also funds the process.
