FHI’s Dr. David Grimes Elected to Institute of Medicine -- October 9, 2006

Research Triangle Park, NC — Dr. David Grimes, vice president of biomedical affairs at Family Health International (FHI), has been elected to the Washington-based Institute of Medicine (IOM), a nonprofit component of the National Academy of Sciences that works outside the framework of government to provide unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice about health and science policy.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Grimes to the IOM," said Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, current IOM president, former provost of Harvard University, and former dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. "Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health."

Each year, 65 members are elected to the IOM, which now has a total membership of 1,501. Dr. Grimes' election recognizes his major contribution over three decades to advancing the science of women's health and research methodology. He also has been a leader in developing the field of evidence-based medicine; that is, systematically searching for the best available evidence to answer a given clinical question. In this regard, he has served on the editorial board of the Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group and authored several Cochrane reviews on women's health, which have formed the basis for the World Health Organization's Global Contraceptive Guidelines. (The Cochrane library is an international effort to identify, analyze, and disseminate the world's most rigorous clinical trials. As co-author of the latest lead article in Contraception, Dr. Grimes describes the process for developing the current evidence base for available family planning choices.) In addition, Dr. Grimes co-authored from 2002 to 2005 a series of articles in The Lancet (subsequently published as a handbook) about research methodology, with the goal of preparing clinicians to read the medical literature more critically. Finally, in his election to the IOM, Dr. Grimes was cited as being an inspiring role model, having trained medical students and residents on how to use evidence for clinical decision-making.

"We are so fortunate to have someone with David's world class talents working with us at FHI," said Dr. Willard Cates, Jr., president of research for the organization and also an IOM member. "I have been privileged to work alongside of David for more than three decades. He represents the essential core values of excellence, integrity, and passion for providing reproductive health services to women in the most resource-poor areas. David has inspired and mentored generations of colleagues at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four medical schools, and now FHI."

IOM membership criteria include distinguished professional achievement in a field related to medicine and health; demonstrated and continued involvement with the issues of health care, prevention, disease, education, or research; and skills and resources likely to contribute to the Institute's tasks of assessing current knowledge, conducting studies, and considering policy issues. Elected members also commit themselves to volunteering a considerable amount of time to work on IOM study committees.

Dr. Grimes is one of a small number of physicians in the United States who is board certified in both obstetrics/gynecology and preventive medicine. He currently serves on the faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, were he received his medical degree. Before joining FHI in 1988, Dr. Grimes worked as an epidemiologist for nine years at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and was on the faculty at three medical schools. He has served as a technical expert for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization on such issues as maternal morbidity and mortality and obstetrical technology, and has served as a consultant in several developing world countries. Dr. Grimes is widely published, having authored or co-authored more than 275 peer-reviewed journal articles as well as numerous other scientific publications.

Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) provides independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies.

Family Health International (FHI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives, knowledge and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national governments and local communities in countries throughout the developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the effectiveness of entire health systems.