Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D., associate vice provost for clinical and translational science and professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her work in the field of autoimmunity and autoimmune disorders.

She is the first woman from an Oklahoma institution – and fifth overall Oklahoma-based scientist – to be selected for this prestigious honor, which is widely considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

James serves as director of the Oklahoma Clinical and Translational Science Institute at OU Health Sciences Center. OCTSI is focused on building clinical and translational research infrastructure for the state, supporting the development of new or junior clinical investigators and improving health and health outcomes for all Oklahomans. She is also chair of the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program and vice president of clinical affairs at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Election to the National Academy of Medicine recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. The award is both nationally and internationally recognized.

James’ work has been cited as significantly advancing the understanding of how autoimmune diseases start and how the immune responses evolve. She has been studying the mechanism of lupus and has worked in understanding arthritis in Oklahoma tribal members, the early events of autoimmune diseases and launching prevention trials.

“I am extremely honored to be elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine,” James said. “By studying these diseases that affect the lives of so many people and learning to understand them, we can work toward improving treatments and outcomes. I am also very committed to improving the health of all Oklahomans and building clinical and translational research in our state. I am very fortunate to work with so many faculty, staff and patients who are also committed to this same goal.”

Mary Beth Humphrey, M.D., Ph.D., interim vice president for research at the OU Health Sciences Center and professor of medicine, said, “The election of Dr. James to the National Academy of Medicine is one of the highest honors a clinician researcher can achieve and is based on her innovative autoimmune research that has been paradigm changing, demonstrating exceptional service to national organizations and dedication to correct health disparities. We are proud that Dr. James was one of our first M.D., Ph.D. students at OUHSC and chose to continue her career at OUHSC and OMRF, leading the nation in autoimmune disease research.”

About OU Health Sciences Center

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is one of the nation’s few academic health centers with all health professions colleges – Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Graduate Studies and School of Community Medicine. The OU Health Sciences Center serves approximately 4,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs on campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and is the academic and research partner of OU Health, the state’s only comprehensive academic healthcare system. The OU Health Sciences Center is ranked 108 out of over 2,900 institutions in funding received from the National Institutes of Health, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. For more information, visit ouhsc.edu.

About OU Health

OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. The flagship academic healthcare system is the clinical partner of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, one of the most comprehensive academic and research campuses in the country. With 10,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only dedicated children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health was named one of the Top 50 Children’s Hospital for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report in its most recent rankings. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit ouhealth.com.