(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) congratulates Peter J. EmbÃ, MD, MS, on his appointment as Director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Embà will become the fifth director of the NLM since its establishment in 1956. The NLM is the world's largest biomedical library and the nation's leading supporter of biomedical informatics, data science, and health information research.
For nearly two centuries, the National Library of Medicine has served as a cornerstone of biomedical knowledge, providing the data, information resources, research support, and infrastructure that power scientific discovery, clinical care, public health, and innovation. Through resources such as PubMed, MedlinePlus, GenBank, and other programs managed through the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NLM reaches researchers, clinicians, health professionals, policymakers, and the public around the world.
Dr. EmbÃ's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for biomedical research and healthcare, as data, knowledge, and artificial intelligence increasingly shape scientific discovery, clinical decision-making, and public health. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the advancement of clinical research informatics, learning health systems, real-world evidence generation, and the responsible evaluation and implementation of AI in healthcare. In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Dr. Embà has led some of the nation's most prominent biomedical informatics programs and institutions.
"At a time when biomedical research, healthcare delivery, and public health are increasingly driven by data, knowledge, and artificial intelligence, the National Library of Medicine's mission has never been more important," said Philip R. Payne, PhD, FACMI, Chair of the AMIA Board of Directors. "Peter is uniquely qualified to lead this institution. He brings an exceptional combination of scientific rigor, strategic vision, and deep expertise in biomedical informatics that will help NLM continue to advance discovery, innovation, and health for years to come."
Dr. Embà has also been a longstanding leader within AMIA and the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI). He currently serves as President of ACMI and previously served as President and Chair of the AMIA Board of Directors. He is an elected Fellow of ACMI and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024.
"Peter's appointment is an extraordinary moment for the National Library of Medicine and for the field of biomedical and health informatics," said Amanda Hanova, CEO of AMIA. "Throughout his career, Peter has demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring together science, technology, data, and people in ways that improve health and advance discovery. He is a respected leader, mentor, innovator, and champion for our field, and we can think of no one better prepared to guide NLM into its next chapter."
AMIA looks forward to working with Dr. Embà and colleagues across NLM, NIH, academia, healthcare organizations, industry, and government to advance the responsible use of data, information, and technology in support of better health for all.
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About AMIA
The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) is the professional home for more than 6,500 clinicians, researchers, educators, data scientists, and health technology leaders dedicated to advancing health and healthcare through informatics. AMIA connects members to leading research, education, policy leadership, and collaboration opportunities that transform health data into knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Through conferences, publications, professional development, and a vibrant professional network, AMIA empowers informatics professionals to shape the future of digital health and healthcare innovation.