Two Northwell leaders elected to National Academy of Medicine

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Two Northwell Health leaders have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of three bodies that comprise the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the United States.

The election of Karina Davidson, Northwell’s senior vice president of research, and Dr. Said Ibrahim, vice president of Northwell’s Medical Service Line, was announced Monday during NAM’s annual meeting. They are recognized for their breakthroughs in research and internal medicine respectively. At the annual meeting, NAM announced the election of 90 regular members and 10 international members.

The National Academies dates back to 1863. That’s when President Abraham Lincoln signed a congressional charter to form the private, nonprofit institutions that that work outside of government and aim to provide objective advice on areas involving science, technology and health. NAM members are elected because of the height of professional achievement and commitment to serve with others who are that top of their field, according to the organization.

Davidson serves as the director of the Institute of Health System Science at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Over the course of three decades, she has held numerous leadership roles for teams focused on the advancement of scientific, educational and patient care missions through both the ideation and implementation of evidence-based practices.

Davidson authored more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and has served as the principal investigator (PI) for over 30 federally funded grants. Her current research focuses on innovations in personalized trials to manage chronic disease and patient symptoms by incorporating patient preferences and values.

“It is an honor to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine and to be recognized among so many other esteemed researchers, clinicians and clinical leaders,” Davidson said in a written statement. “Together, we will pioneer innovative approaches to improving patient outcomes and quality of life and care.”

Davidson was recently named PI by The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to participate in its Health Systems Implementation Initiative, which will use clinical excellence and research expertise to help develop and implement viable strategies designed to improve patient care and outcomes. Davidson is also past chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. She has a PhD in clinical health psychology and a MASc in industrial/organizational psychology.

“This incredible honor for Dr. Davidson is well deserved,” Dr. Kevin Tracey, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes, said in a written statement. “Membership to the National Academy of Medicine is a testament to Dr. Davidson’s pioneering research and her leadership to advance scientific, educational and patient\care missions through both the generation and implementation of evidence-based practices.”

Ibrahim is a clinician-investigator with a focus on closing the health disparities gap. For research,  Ibrahim has studied health equity and disparities, particularly osteoarthritis care, and for more than 25 years, the NIH funded his research understanding and intervening of disparities in care, particularly in access to surgical care for advanced osteoarthritis of the knees and hips.

Before joining Northwell, Ibrahim came to the health system from Weill Cornell Medicine, where he was a professor of healthcare policy and research, and the founding chief of the Division of Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation at the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research. He also was Weill Cornell’s inaugural senior associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion.

“I am grateful to join a select group of individuals who have been recognized for their achievements and impact on health care worldwide,” Ibrahim said in a written statement. “Through our collective efforts, we will be able to implement new ways to deliver equitable care for everyone across the country.”

Ibrahim was at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and served as chief of medicine at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, where he led all medical subspecialties, primary care, emergency department, nursing home and geriatrics and the internal medicine residency program.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Ibrahim also holds a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University’s School of Public Health and a master’s degree in business administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He completed his internship and residency training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

Both are affiliated Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

“Both Drs. Davidson and Ibrahim have proven excellence in clinical care and research,” Michael Dowling, Northwell’s president and CEO, said in a written statement. “We congratulate them and are excited to add them to Northwell Health’s growing list of Academy electees.”