The year 2025 will go down as one where political influence over health care policy and multiple agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services has truly been unprecedented. From the firing of the members of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replacing them with a number of anti-vaxxers to the after only a month in office, healthcare is in crisis. NIH grants were summarily halted for a time, many of which were never restored, and grant applications are now routinely inspected for any mention of diversity or inclusion. The NIH is proceeding to summarily reduce the indirect cost recovery rate to fifteen percent across the board, which will have a major impact on academic research.
As President and CEO of , home of the oldest medical fellowship organization in the United States, I want to unequivocally state that these actions run contrary not just to our values but to values held dear by most. The College stands with the medical and scientific community in supporting , which is critical to our vision of advancing health while upholding the ideals and heritage of medicine. We have made our position and on . We have the standing to be a resource of knowledge, and we will continue to use that standing.
Here’s a look back at our year in review:
We set organizational records during and , welcoming more new Fellows than ever before. Boasting over 1,000 members from a variety of institutions and specialties, includes prominent physicians, healthcare professionals, scholars, and community leaders committed to advancing patient care, public health, and medical knowledge and education.
At a time when many Fellows feel stifled by the challenging environment, they can come to the College to , strategize, and make their voices heard. We are to grow and strengthen this distinguished community by connecting with colleagues and peers who share our vision.
Our has hosted three Grand Rounds in 2025, tackling critical topics at the local and national levels, including gun violence, environmental health, and oral health. The College convened leaders of the Master of Public Health programs in the Philadelphia region to create a webinar series focused on climate change for public health students, . Additionally, the Section hosted dozens of attendees at the April Public Health Day symposium and the , highlighting sustained interest in workforce development and applied public health research at a precarious time.
The Section has also met with the Philadelphia Health Commissioner and is committed to closely collaborating with the Health Department. Strengthening ties between academic, professional, and governmental public health is especially important as local health departments nationwide face staffing shortages and political scrutiny. The Section is also reaching out to community organizations to increase involvement at community events.This reflects a broader national emphasis on rebuilding trust in public health by showing up consistently and engaging outside traditional academic or clinical spaces.
In 2026, the College also plans to develop a public health mentorship program, led by Dr. René Najera, our Director of Public Health and , to support graduate students in public health with structured mentorship and networking opportunities.
has continued to steward our History of Vaccines website, which has been , to reflect current recommendations for RSV and COVID-19 vaccines and expanded links to trusted non-CDC resources. This work was done in response to recent changes on the CDC website where unscientific or misleading material has appeared, and it reflects a broader national concern about maintaining credible, evidence-based public health information for clinicians and the public. We are in the planning stages of creating a website that will be an aggregator for knowledge relating to vaccines, infectious diseases, and many other aspects related to public health.
We plan to host a meeting at the College in the summer of 2026, bringing together legal, medical, and scientific experts to discuss vaccine policy issues as courts and legislatures increasingly shape immunization practice.
, guided by new leaders , renewed its focus on public education and engagement. We opened several new exhibitions designed to teach audiences about the history of medicine and public health, such as , , , and the . The Museum also wrapped up the , a two-year comprehensive review and community engagement process documented in a temporary exhibition, which led to . Support for Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum was generously provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
In 2026, the Museum and Library team looks to expand upon these efforts with an engrossing and informative slate of exhibitions and programming to complement our nation’s 250th birthday. We also plan to announce new opportunities for students to join our youth STEM programs through our Center for Education.
As we embark on our , we plan to grow our usable footprint to deepen our role as an educational and engaging convening space. We will celebrate our legacy and embrace our future by constructing dynamic and inviting new spaces to expand access and engagement for the Fellowship, the Museum and Library, education programs, and public programming. We invite you to help us carry this momentum and excitement into our next chapter. Thank you for being a valued member of our community.
Sincerely,
President and CEO
The Thomas W. Langfitt Chair