Adam J. Milam

Adam J. Milam, MD, PhD, FASE, FAHA, FASA does not just wear a white coat—he wears his roots, his grit, and his purpose with pride. Born and raised in Baltimore, he has defied every expectation—and set his own instead. Today, Dr. Milam is a Professor of Anesthesiology (pending administrative review) at the Johns Hopkins Medicine and a national leader in advancing health equity. Previously, he was a Professor of Anesthesiology, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, and Chair of the Health Equity Subcommittee at Mayo Clinic Arizona. He is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, having trained at top-tier institutions including Johns Hopkins (BA, MHS, PhD), Wayne State University (MD), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Anesthesiology Residency), and Cleveland Clinic (Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship). But titles and degrees only tell half the story. Dr. Milam’s mission is crystal clear: tackle health disparities head-on. His research focuses on systemic barriers to care, representation in medicine, and building policies that drive equity. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers, written multiple book chapters, and delivered more than 100 invited presentations across the globe. His work has not just stayed in academic journals—it has shaped legislation and sparked national conversations, appearing in Men’s Health, Rolling Stone, and U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, he was named Executive Editor of Anesthesia & Analgesia and Section Editor for the People and Health Advocacy Section, making him one of the youngest to ever hold such a role at a major medical journal. Dr. Milam has collected dozens of national honors—including the Herbert W. Nickens Scholarship, 40 Under 40 recognitions from the National Minority Quality Forum and National Medical Association, the U.S. Public Health Service Award, and multiple Teacher of the Year awards from Mayo Clinic. Despites these national honors, his proudest moment was being inducted into the Hall of Fame at his high school, Baltimore City College—a full-circle moment that reminds him where he came from, and why he does the work. Dr. Milam is not just building a career. He is building a legacy—one rooted in purpose, powered by excellence, and grounded in a promise: to make the system better than he found it.