Reflecting on a Milestone Year
This Harvard Macy blog post reflects upon the 30th Anniversary of the institute.
This year, we proudly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI) — a moment to honor our past, embrace the present, and envision the future of medical and health professions education. What began in 1994 as an ambitious vision to support faculty as curriculum innovators and change agents has grown into a global movement powered by passionate educators, lifelong learners, and a vibrant alumni community.
To mark this milestone, we hosted an array of events and initiatives that brought together members of our HMI community from around the world to celebrate our collective journey and impact.
Global Gatherings
We were thrilled to come together with alumni, faculty, and friends at a number of celebratory receptions over the past year. These gatherings offered meaningful opportunities to reflect on shared memories, spark new conversations, and deepen the relationships that are at the heart of the Harvard Macy Institute.
In August, we gathered in Basel, Switzerland during the annual Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) conference. The celebration continued in November in Atlanta, Georgia at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting, where HMI community members and friends enjoyed connection, conversation and a slice of 30th anniversary cake!
In April, May, and June, we hosted anniversary receptions during each of the three courses held on campus. Together, we celebrated thirty years of impact with more than 300 alumni, scholars, faculty, and staff complete with comradery, a spirited a cappella performance, and heartfelt reflections that honored our vibrant community.
Storytelling Through Podcasts
With the help of our talented podcast host, Victoria Brazil, we launched a nine-part podcast series dedicated to the people and programs that have shaped HMI’s impact over three decades. These conversations spotlighted the educators, innovators, and visionaries whose contributions continue to drive the Institute forward.
A Living History
We are grateful to HMI community members who shared their reflections in several reflective blog posts, capturing the spirit and evolution of our programs. In this conversation with Professor Kichu Nair, we explored the transformational role of faculty development in medical education. And in a deep dive into the history of the Program for Educators in Health Professions, we charted the program’s evolution and its ripple effect across global institutions.
Maria Blanco penned a thoughtful reflection on how the HMI Program for Educators in Health Professions profoundly shaped her journey, sharing that it “holds a special place in my heart, as it has allowed me to realize professional aspirations and dreams, I could never have imagined.”
Marjel van Dam wrote about her experience as a faculty member, describing how it has challenged her assumptions about teaching and inspired her to implement small, sustainable changes that promise a lasting impact in medical education.
Collective Reflection
This year, we also invited members of the Harvard Macy community to share personal video reflections on what HMI has meant to them—and the response was both heartwarming and humbling. From across the globe, alumni, faculty, and friends submitted thoughtful tributes that spoke about the lifelong friendships, professional growth, and transformative experiences inspired by the Institute. Watch the full video here to hear directly from our community and feel the enduring impact of 30 years of Harvard Macy.
The Next Thirty Years
While this anniversary year has been one of gratitude and celebration, it has also been a time of inspiration. The reflections shared, the relationships rekindled, and the stories told remind us that our mission, to foster innovation and collaboration in health professions education, is more vital than ever.
As we close this commemorative chapter, we want to thank our entire community. Every scholar, faculty member, and staff member are part of the HMI journey, and we are so grateful for you! Here’s to the next 30 years of learning, leading, and transforming health professions education — together.