Every spring, alumni vote for the Harvard Overseers, one of Harvard’s two governing bodies.

This group plays a vital role in maintaining the University’s excellence and advising its leadership.

Congratulations, Michael Rosenblatt, MD ’73

Dr. Rosenblatt is among six alumni who have been newly elected as members of Harvard University’s Board of Overseers. The new Overseers will assume their roles on May 30.

Learn more the 12 alumni elected to Harvard leadership boards

Michael Rosenblatt, MD ’73 

Michael Rosenblatt wearing a tie and suit jacket, smiling into the camera.One of Harvard Medical School’s most engaged alumni, Michael Rosenblatt, MD ’73, is an eminent physician, biomedical scientist, academic leader, and health care executive dedicated to education, discovery, and therapeutic innovation.

Rosenblatt served until recently as chief medical officer of Flagship Pioneering, the venture firm that launched Moderna, and he was part of Moderna’s vaccine team. Previously, he was executive vice president and chief medical officer of Merck and, before that, dean of Tufts University School of Medicine. As Merck’s senior vice president for research, he co-led the development of the leading medicine for osteoporosis.  

Harvard’s world-leading life sciences research and education hold boundless promise to improve human health. In an era of declining trust in science, I feel passionate about the need to affirm and enhance the value that science brings to our lives.

A former Harvard faculty member, he served as Ebert Professor of Molecular Medicine and Minot Professor of Medicine. His leadership roles have included president of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, director of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and chief of Massachusetts General Hospital’s endocrine unit.  

Past president of the HMS Alumni Council, he serves on the HMS Board of Fellows, the HMS Advisory Council on Education, and advisory boards for several HMS-affiliated hospitals.  Now a prominent health care advisor, he has received honors, including the Fuller Albright Award (bone and mineral research), the Vincent du Vigneaud Award (peptide research), and the Merck Chairman’s Award. He holds 19 patents and is a co-author of over 180 peer-reviewed papers.

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Discover what Harvard means to him and what aspects of its mission inspire him to serve as an Overseer.

Distinguished Service Award for HMS Alumni

Michael Rosenblatt, MD ’73, is also being honored this year for his extraordinary dedication to HMS over five decades. As a member of the Board of Fellows and the Advisory Council on Education, as well as a past president of the Alumni Council, he has provided invaluable leadership—championing debt-free MD education and fostering stronger alumni ties. His efforts to engage industry alumni, mentor students, and lead class Reunions have helped build a more vibrant and tightly knit HMS community.

Learn more about this award