The Establishment of the James L. Madara, MD, Innovation Fund
With a goal of fostering greater innovation in health care, the American Medical Association Foundation proudly announces the establishment of the James L. Madara, MD, Innovation Fund. This newly created fund honors the remarkable legacy of Dr. Madara, the chief executive officer and executive vice president of the AMA, whose visionary leadership since 2011 helped develop the AMA’s long-term strategic focus and championed initiatives that have reshaped the landscape of American health care.
Dr. Madara’s Legacy
Dr. Madara’s tenure at the AMA is marked by an unwavering commitment to physician-centered innovation and excellence. Before joining the AMA, he spent over two decades at Harvard Medical School, where he served as a tenured professor and director of the National Institute of Health-sponsored Harvard Digestive Diseases Center. Dr. Madara also held leadership roles at Emory University and the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he oversaw a renewal of the school’s biomedical campus.
Embracing Technology and AI
Under Dr. Madara’s guidance, the AMA has not only focused on traditional medical practice but has embraced the transformative power of technology. He has been instrumental in the creation and growth of Health2047 Inc., a Silicon Valley-based subsidiary of the AMA. Health2047 has successfully spun-out multiple companies that are actively growing with outside investments and that illustrate the potential for physician-centered technology to revolutionize health care delivery.
A key area of focus for Dr. Madara has been the integration of augmented intelligence (AI) into health care. His advocacy for ethical, equitable, and responsible deployment of AI-enabled tools underscores his commitment to enhancing physician capabilities and improving patient outcomes. His vision for AI is to maximize its benefits in the clinical setting while safeguarding against potential harms.
The James L. Madara, MD, Innovation Fund
The Madara Innovation Fund is a testament to Dr. Madara’s enduring legacy. Seeded through the generosity of the AMA Foundation Board of Directors, AMA Board of Trustees, and AMA senior staff, the fund aims to support creative ideas and grants within the organization’s programmatic portfolio. Contributions to the fund will support innovative projects and initiatives focused on improving and advancing health care, continuing Dr. Madara’s legacy. It is a call to action for the health care community to celebrate Dr. Madara’s retirement from the AMA by contributing to a fund that furthers his mission of improving public health.
Jeremy Lazarus, MD, AMA Foundation board director and past president of the AMA, who played an instrumental role in developing the fund, reflected on Dr. Madara’s impact: “Dr. Madara has been a visionary executive vice president for our AMA. While advancing our advocacy and membership, he has placed our AMA at the forefront of innovation in medical education, taking on some of our biggest public health care challenges and improving the lives of physicians. He has brought our AMA to a new level of leadership in the health care ecosystem.”
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Madara prepares to transition to the next chapter, the AMA Board of Trustees is actively engaged in the search for his successor. Dr. Madara’s impact on the organization and the broader health care community will be felt for years to come, as his legacy of innovation continues to inspire and drive progress.
The creation of the James L. Madara, MD, Innovation Fund is not just a tribute to a distinguished leader but a commitment to the future of health care.
