Advancing Health Professions Education Through Partnership: The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and the Harvard Macy Institute
"There’s an almost perfect intersection between the Macy Foundation and HMI. We share a twin mission: advancing health professions education with the belief that, by doing so, we can improve the health of the public."
For more than three decades, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI) have sustained a partnership built on shared mission, strategic alignment, and a commitment to advancing health professions education. Together, the organizations have cultivated leaders, supported innovation, and nurtured a community of educators to transform health professions education in order to improve health for all.
The Macy Foundation’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing health professions education, which resonates deeply with HMI’s work. As Peter Goodwin, interim president at the Macy Foundation, observes, “There’s an almost perfect intersection between the Macy Foundation and HMI. We share a twin mission: advancing health professions education with the belief that, by doing so, we can improve the health of the public. If you look at our two organizations and what we are striving for, our goals are almost identical in spirit.” HMI’s interprofessional programs naturally complement the Macy Foundation’s long-standing emphasis on collaboration across health professions.
The partnership began in 1993, when then-president Tom Meikle received a proposal from Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Elizabeth Armstrong, founding director of HMI, to support faculty development for medical educators—specifically aimed at fostering innovation, leadership, and community building in health professions education. At the time, HMS had recently launched its New Pathways curriculum, reflecting broader momentum for reform across medical education. “Several elements stood out: a focus on active learning rather than passive learning, the use of case studies, and an emphasis on developing leadership potential in educators. That leadership component turned out to be incredibly important. It aligns directly with our Macy Faculty Scholars Program, which provides career development for rising leaders in health professions education. What began as a secondary objective has really become one of the most powerful outcomes of our collaboration,” explained Goodwin.
Caroline Pounds, program associate at the Macy Foundation, highlights several examples of the way in which participation in HMI programs has influenced the work and careers of the Macy Faculty Scholars: “Sara Arter, PhD, RN, from the 2023 cohort often talks about the impact of Assessment and Evaluations: Systems Thinking in Health Professions Education in her work. Sara’s experience reflects the sentiments of multiple Scholars, as many of them choose to enroll in additional HMI courses after participating in the Program for Educators. It seems the appreciation is reciprocated, as many Scholars are invited to serve as teaching faculty at HMI--an opportunity that they relish.”
These individual stories highlight the broader significance of the partnership, which is reflected even in the Macy Foundation’s rare decision to share its name. “In nearly 100 years, there are very few endeavors where we have allowed the Foundation’s name to be used. For us, that is a big deal. It shows how strongly we feel about this relationship,” Goodwin explained. This sentiment is echoed within HMI. “We are deeply grateful for our longstanding and meaningful relationship with the Macy Foundation,” notes Sarah Wood, director of HMI. “More than just sharing a name, our collaboration is grounded in a mutual commitment to serving the public good, advancing innovation, and supporting educators. We are proud to continue this important work together and to be part of the long legacy of service upheld by both of our institutions.”
The Macy Faculty Scholars Program remains the clearest example of how the relationship has evolved over time, tying together the Macy Foundation’s focus on leadership development with HMI’s emphasis on innovation in teaching and learning. Looking forward, both organizations are asking critical questions about the future of education in a shifting societal landscape. “Rather than a specific opportunity, I would frame it as a shared question,” Goodwin reflects. “How do we prepare faculty and learners to teach, learn, and practice in an environment that is increasingly distrustful of science, information, and professions?”
This concern is mirrored at HMI. “That resonates with us as well,” says Wood. “For example, we have been steadily working to integrate AI ethics and applications across all our programs, not just our tech-focused program, Technology and AI: Transforming Health Professions Education.” Goodwin added, “We are in such an unsettled period right now. Educators, scientists, and institutions of higher learning are under attack. This is not just about research funding being cut; it is about faculty trying to teach in environments where learners are preparing to enter a society that is increasingly skeptical and distrustful. The question is: how do we equip faculty to continue teaching effectively, and how do we support them in navigating this more challenging environment?”
Ultimately, the collaboration between the Macy Foundation and HMI has fostered a vibrant community of educators committed to innovation and leadership in health professions education. It stands as one of the Foundation’s most enduring and impactful partnerships. Goodwin concluded by saying, “The fact that HMI is still here, thriving after 30 years, speaks volumes. This partnership has not only supported our Scholars but has helped keep education at the forefront during a time when higher education itself is being challenged.” Together, the Macy Foundation and the Harvard Macy Institute not only advance health professions education but also model how enduring partnerships can transform the field for generations to come.