U of I VP of Health Affairs elected to Institute of Medicine

Dr. Joe G.N. “Skip” Garcia has been elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Vice president for health affairs at the University of Illinois and vice chancellor for research on the Chicago campus, Garcia is known for his research on genetics, prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung disease and pulmonary edema.

Garcia is one of 65 new members elected to the Institute of Medicine this year. Honorees are chosen based on their professional achievement in medicine and health and their continued involvement with the issues of healthcare, prevention of disease, education or research. Members are nominated and elected by the current membership.

Since his appointment as vice president in February, Garcia has been active in increasing the visibility of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System and effectiveness of the delivery of healthcare to citizens around the state. Garcia joined the faculty at UIC in 2010. He has written 370 peer-reviewed publications and is widely recognized as a leading National Institutes of Health-funded scientist.