Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH,executive vice dean for Institutional Affairs at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has been selected to Chair the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee onthe Consequences of Sodium Reduction in Populations.

Stroms Committee on the Consequences of Sodium Reduction in Populations will work to evaluate the results, study design and methodologies that have been used to assess the relationship between sodium and health outcomes in literature published since the IOM Dietary Reference Intakesreport. Of primary interest are the effects (positive and negative) in the population generally, and for population subgroups (particularly those with hypertension, pre-hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes, persons 51 years and older, and African Americans).

Dr. Strom's research interests span many areas of clinical epidemiology, but mainly focus on pharmacoepidemiology, the application of epidemiologic methods to the study of drug use and effects. He is best known as a founder of the field of pharmacoepidemiology, and a pioneer in using large automated databases for research.

In addition to his responsibilities as executive vice dean, Strom is also the George S. Pepper Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, professor of Medicine, and professor of Pharmacology. Strom previously served as president of the Association of Clinical Research Training and currently is principal investigator (PI) or co-PI for eight National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical research training programs. Dr. Strom has been a member of the Institute of Medicine since 2001.

Established in 1970, the IOM is the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, which was chartered under President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Nearly 150 years later, the National Academy of Sciences has expanded into what is collectively known as theNational Academies, which comprises the National Academy of Sciences, theNational Academy of Engineering, the National Research Council, and the IOM.

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Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine is currently ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $479.3 million awarded in the 2011 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; and Pennsylvania Hospital the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Penn Medicine also includes additional patient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2011, Penn Medicine provided $854 million to benefit our community.

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Penn Medicine's Brian Strom, MD, MPH, Elected to Chair Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee