The Journal Of The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced it has hired its first Black editor-in-chief, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo.
AMA made the exciting announcement via its official website on Apr. 11.
“We are tremendously pleased and fortunate to welcome Dr. Bibbins-Domingo as the new editor-in-chief,” James L. Madara, M.D., its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, said in a statement. “She will lead JAMA into a new era of publishing the groundbreaking research that is shaping the future of medicine and science. As a physician, scholar, and leader, she has focused on health equity, cardiovascular disease prevention—top priorities for the AMA —and, more recently, COVID-19.”
He added that he was “confident” Bibbins-Domingo would “advance” JAMA’s mission due to her stellar background in science.
“I am confident Dr. Bibbins-Domingo—with her remarkable professional background ranging from basic science to an array of scholarly approaches to clinical studies—will effectively advance JAMA’s mission that accelerates clinical research into practice at this critical time in health care in the U.S. and global public health.”
She also expressed how delighted she was to take on her new role. She was reportedly chosen by an 18-person committee of medical and academic experts following former JAMA editor-in-chief Howard Bauchner’s resignation. He stepped down in June 2021 after making racially insensitive comments during the publication’s March 2021 podcast titled, “Structural Racism for Doctors—What Is It?”
“This is an extraordinary time for science, medicine, and public health—one where the possibilities for accelerating advancements in human health seem limitless, while deep challenges to achieving optimal health for all seem intractable,” said Bibbins-Domingo. “Against this backdrop, a trusted voice for science, medicine, and public health has never been more important. JAMA and the JAMA Network represent an unparalleled platform for the very best science to reach the broadest audience and for advancing the discussions, debates, and new ideas that will continue to shape health nationally and globally. I couldn’t be more excited to join as editor-in-chief.”
Bibbins-Domingo previously earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and a master’s degree in clinical research from the University of California, San Fransisco. As of late, she has been serving as a professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at USCF, where she became the first vice dean of population health and health equity.
She co-founded the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
In addition, she was a part of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force from 2010 to 2017 and has been a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the National Academy of Medicine.
In 2017, she was given the Harold S. Luft Award for Mentoring in Health Services and Health Policy Research by UCSF. Four years later, in 2021, she was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Commonwealth Club of California.
“Dr. Bibbins-Domingo is a first-rate physician-scientist with broad and deep credentials spanning biochemistry, clinical science, population science, and academic research,” said Otis Brawley, M.D., who reportedly served as chair of the committee that selected her.
She is set to begin her tenure on Jul. 1, 2022.
