Academic Medicine Open Forum

I write today with exciting news: The voting memberships of the AAMC and the AAHC (Association of Academic Health Centers) have overwhelmingly approved the merger of our two great organizations. Under the terms of the agreement, the AAHC will merge into the AAMC on April 1, 2022.

A copy of the press release, which provides additional details about the merger, is attached for your information.

This decision is the result of many months of hard work and vision on the part of many people. First and foremost, I want to recognize and express my gratitude to AAHC President and CEO Steven L. Kanter, MD, for his leadership, vision, and collaboration throughout this process. I also appreciate the feedback and guidance we received from our listening sessions with leaders from our Council of Deans and Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems, as well as through a comment period open to all AAMC members and constituents. In addition, I am personally grateful to each of you who provided input via email and other ways during our discussions over the past year.

I also want to recognize and thank AAMC Chief of Staff Jennifer Schlener for her leadership of the merger discussions; Chief Legal Officer Frank Trinity for his expertise; and Chief Financial Officer Amir Mesarwi for his analysis. I could not be more enthusiastic and optimistic about the possibilities and opportunities that will spring from this historic decision. The merger will enable the academic medicine community to amplify our efforts to improve the health of people everywhere and speak out even more strongly with one voice on behalf of the patients, families, and the communities we serve.

Our focus now shifts to implementation. A detailed integration plan already is under development, and now that the merger has been approved, work will begin to ensure a smooth transition of AAHC employees and efforts with little disruption.

I look forward to sharing additional details and next steps closer to the merger in April. In the interim, feel free to contact @Jennifer Schlener (jschlener@aamc.org), who will coordinate this implementation, with questions or feedback. And as always, please don't hesitate to reach me directly here in the community or at aamcpresident@aamc.org.