Professor Hortensia Amaro, associate dean of Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences and director of the Institute on Urban Health Research, has been inducted a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) — considered one of the top honors bestowed upon researchers in the fields of health and medicine.

Amaro’s nationally recognized work includes developing an innovative integrated model for the treatment of substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, and HIV/AIDS. She has produced groundbreaking studies on clinical strategies for treating women, launched community-based addiction treatment programs, and forged vital connections between public health research and practice.

“This is a great honor,” Amaro said. “It is meaningful to me to have my contributions to the fields of behavioral health, substance abuse and HIV acknowledged and recognized.”

According to the IOM, new membership is determined by current active members through a highly selective process to identify individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Members are recognized for outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

The induction also highlights Northeastern’s mission to conduct research that yields effective solutions to global challenges in the areas of health, security and sustainability.

“Professor Amaro’s work exemplifies Northeastern’s approach to research,” said Stephen W. Director, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Northeastern University. “Her wide-ranging research achievements have directly improved the lives of people in society and added to the foundations of knowledge in the field of public health.”

Amaro has previously served on four IOM committees, including the Committee on Women’s Health Research in 2009-10. The other committees focused on legal and ethical issues relating to the inclusion of women in clinical studies, substance abuse and mental health issues in AIDS, and ethical considerations for revisions to regulations for protection of prisoners involved in research.

Established in 1970, the IOM is part of the National Academies and considered a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on health issues.