Meet the 7 New Alumni Council Representatives

MD graduates elected new members to the Alumni Council by acclamation during the Harvard Medical Alumni Association’s Annual Meeting on June 13.

In June 2024, the Harvard Medical Alumni Association approved changes to the election process for Alumni Council representatives. Starting this year, a single candidate for each position is selected by a full Council vote and then approved by acclamation by HMAA members during the Annual Business Meeting.

Select a representative’s name to view their personal statement and bio.

The Slate Committee recommended the following individuals for membership on the Alumni Council, effective July 1. These alumni were chosen to help build a diverse Council of committed volunteers who will represent the broader alumni community and advance HMS’s programs. The candidates are actively involved with alumni, engage with students, and devote their time to service that strengthens the HMS community. Leadership experience, consensus-building skills, philanthropic support for HMS, and consideration of Harvard University’s broader interests were also important in their selection. View a detailed list of Alumni Council member attributes, as established by the Council during the fall 2024 meeting.

Woman wearing glasses and a pearl necklace smiling at the camera.

Tamara R. Fountain, MD ’88

President-Elect

Professor, Rush University Medical Center

Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Private Practice

Man wearing glasses and a collared shirt in front of a molecule making machine.

Martin Burke, PhD ’04, MD ’05 (Class of 2002)

Chair of Alumni Giving

May and Ving Lee Professor for Chemical Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Man with glasses and a dark suit smiling at the camera.

Jay Chyung, AB ’99, PhD ’04, MD ’06 (Class of 2003) 

HAA Graduate School Director (Representing HMS)

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Alida Inc.

Woman with long, dark hair wearing a white coat smiling at the camera.

R. Sonia Batra, AB ’94, MD ’00, MPH ’00

Councilor-at-Large (representing all classes)

President, Batra Dermatology

Clinical Assistant Professor, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Man in a white coat and a tie smiling at the camera.

Robert “Bobby” Daly, MBA ’10, MD ’10

Third Pentad (Classes of 2010–2014)

Thoracic Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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David J. Brown, MD ’97 (Class of 1996)

Sixth Pentad (Classes of 1995–1999)

Associate Vice President, Associate Dean for Health Equity and Inclusion, and Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Michigan Medicine

Headshot photo of Tessa Gardner

Tessa Gardner, MD ’72

Tenth and Beyond Pentads (Classes of 1979 and beyond)

Consultant in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Private Practice

Changes to the HMAA Constitution

The Alumni Council proposed granting voting rights to the chairs of alumni relations and alumni giving, who currently serve as non-voting members. Because this proposal required a change to the HMAA Constitution, it was approved by a majority of the members in attendance at the HMAA Annual Meeting on June 13.

CurrentProposed

Article V. Council 

Section 1. The Council of the Association shall consist of the eleven councilors elected by acclamation, the officers of the Association (as defined in Article IV, Section 1 – President, President-Elect, and Vice-President), the immediate Past President of the Alumni Association, and the two appointed representatives to the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). They shall constitute the voting members of the Council. Non-voting members shall include the Chair of Alumni Relations and the Chair of Harvard Medical Alumni Giving. 

Article V. Council 

Section 1. The Council of the Association shall consist of the councilors elected by acclamation, the officers of the Association (as defined in Article IV, Section 1 – President, President-Elect, and Vice-President), the Chair of Alumni Relations, the Chair of Harvard Medical Alumni Giving, and the two appointed representatives to the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). They shall constitute the voting members of the Council.