Dr. Niranjan Rao, the chief medical officer at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, has been elected as chairman of the American Medical Association’s Council on Medical Education for the 2021-2022 term.
Rao, who has served as Saint Peter’s CMO since November 2015, is board certified in vascular and general surgery and offers treatment in general, vascular and endovascular surgery. He is a graduate of M. Rampure Medical College in India and completed his residency in general surgery at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, followed by a fellowship in vascular surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.
The AMA’s mission is to promote the art of science and medicine and the betterment of public health. It is the largest and only national association that convenes 190-plus state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders. The AMA leads the charge in preventing chronic disease and confronting public health crises, driving the future of medicine and tackling the biggest challenges in health care and training the leaders of tomorrow.
Education is at the heart of the AMA’s mission. The Council on Medical Education is responsible for recommending educational policies to the AMA House of Delegates. As an accredited provider of continuing medical education and a driving force in the modernization of physician training, the AMA is revolutionizing the way physicians advance their knowledge and skills.
“I am honored and humbled to have been elected the chairman of the AMA’s Council on Medical Education,” Rao said. “It’s a privilege to be working with extremely bright, distinguished and talented councilmembers from around the country.
“My colleagues and I are excited to have an ability to impact change related to critical issues facing the practice of medicine today. These include enhancing the processes involved in graduate medical education and resident and fellowship training, making improvements to online learning, advancing access to allow for more medical school diversity and more. This position is truly a highlight of my professional medical career.”
Saint Peter’s CEO Les Hirsch applauded Rao for the honor.
“Dr. Rao has the opportunity to influence the future of medicine, from policy change that affects criteria for medical school admissions, so our physicians better reflect the patients they serve, to reforming medical school curriculum in a way that aligns with today’s societal values while maintaining the high standards that the AMA has always sought to uphold,” he said. “I can think of no better candidate to lead the dialogue that will shape tomorrow’s medical providers.”
