Katrina Armstrong, MD, a highly accomplished physician and researcher, is the interim president of Columbia University and the chief executive officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Serving in these roles since 2022, Armstrong, at age 57, has made significant contributions to the fields of medicine and education. She is married to Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., a renowned oncologist, and the couple has two children. As of 2024, Dr. Armstrong’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million, reflecting her extensive career in academia and medicine.
Educational Roots
Dr. Armstrong’s academic journey began at Yale University, where she earned a BA degree in architecture. Her education at Yale was marked by a blend of architecture and pre-med studies, providing her with a unique perspective on how social, environmental, and structural factors influence individual well-being. Financing her education through scholarships, loans, and work in the freshman dining hall, Armstrong’s early experiences shaped her commitment to addressing disparities in healthcare.
Medical Training
After completing her undergraduate studies, Armstrong spent a year at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she worked in a laboratory focused on diabetes and eye disease. This experience solidified her decision to pursue a career in medicine, leading her to enroll at Johns Hopkins University for medical school. Her time at Johns Hopkins coincided with the height of the HIV epidemic, an experience that underscored the importance of scientific discovery and equitable access to healthcare. As a chief resident, she played a crucial role in transforming the medical education experience for her peers, emphasizing the importance of innovation and empathy in patient care.
Research Development
Following her residency, Dr. Armstrong moved to the University of Pennsylvania, where she furthered her research training and earned a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology. At Penn, she established a groundbreaking research program focused on medical decision-making, quality of care, and cancer prevention. Her work bridged multiple disciplines, including epidemiology, psychology, economics, and genetics, with the goal of advancing scientific discovery to improve healthcare outcomes and eliminate disparities.
Cancer Disparities
One of Dr. Armstrong’s most significant contributions has been in the field of cancer research, particularly in addressing disparities in cancer care among Black and Latinx populations. Her research has uncovered critical insights into how factors like segregation, discrimination, and distrust affect health outcomes in marginalized communities. Recently, her work has expanded to include rural health disparities, with a particular focus on partnerships with Lakota tribal communities in South Dakota. Armstrong’s research has been instrumental in shaping personalized medicine approaches that consider the unique needs of diverse populations.
Leadership Roles
Throughout her 17-year tenure at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Armstrong took on a series of leadership roles aimed at addressing major societal challenges. She served as the director of research at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, the chief of general internal medicine, the associate director of the Abramson Cancer Center, and the co-director of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program. In each of these roles, Armstrong demonstrated a commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines and promoting innovative solutions to complex health issues.
Harvard Impact
In 2013, Dr. Armstrong was recruited to Harvard University to lead the Department of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). As the first woman to serve as physician-in-chief at MGH, she oversaw a department of 2,000 faculty, residents, and fellows, leading initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and innovation in medical education. At Harvard, she also founded the Center for Educational Innovation and Scholarship, which focuses on developing new approaches to medical education and training the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Educational Innovation
Dr. Armstrong’s impact at Harvard extended beyond her leadership at MGH. She developed the Pathways program, an innovative educational model that links scientific discovery with clinical training, and a training program in rural health leadership. These initiatives reflect her commitment to integrating education, research, and clinical practice to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Armstrong’s contributions to medicine and education have been recognized by numerous prestigious organizations. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Association of American Physicians, and the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Her work has earned her several awards, including the Outstanding Junior Investigator of the Year Award from the Society of General Internal Medicine, the Outstanding Investigator Award from the American Federation of Medical Research, and the Alice Hersh Award from Academy Health.
Columbia Leadership
In 2022, Dr. Armstrong was appointed as the interim president of Columbia University and the chief executive officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In these roles, she has continued to champion the integration of research, education, and clinical practice, with a focus on addressing health disparities and promoting equity in healthcare. Her leadership at Columbia reflects her lifelong commitment to advancing scientific discovery and improving healthcare outcomes for all.
Future Vision
As Dr. Armstrong continues to lead Columbia University, her vision for the future of healthcare remains rooted in her belief in the power of science and humanism. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where innovation thrives, and where the benefits of scientific discovery are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.