ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Diya TV) — Dr. Sanjeev Arora, the founder of Project ECHO, has received the 2025 Gustav O. Lienhard Award for Advancement of Health Care from the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). The honor recognizes his work in expanding access to quality health care through innovative technology and education.
Dr. Arora, a retired professor of medicine at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, developed a revolutionary model that has changed how medical knowledge is shared across the globe. His initiative, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), empowers local health providers to deliver expert-level care, especially in underserved areas.
The NAM award includes a medal and a $40,000 prize, presented to Dr. Arora during the NAM Annual Meeting. The recognition celebrates leaders who advance health care delivery and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
Dr. Arora founded Project ECHO in 2003 to bridge the gap between specialists and primary care providers. Using videoconferencing and case-based learning, the ECHO model connects experts with community clinicians to discuss real cases, share best practices, and improve patient care.
This simple but powerful idea has transformed how medical knowledge spreads. Instead of sending patients to distant specialists, Project ECHO brings expert guidance directly to local providers. This approach helps clinicians manage complex conditions within their own communities.
Today, Project ECHO runs more than 1,100 active programs across the United States. It has hosted nearly 3.5 million session attendees and improved care for about 43.5 million patients. The program continues to grow as a vital tool in tackling public health challenges such as chronic diseases, mental health, and infectious outbreaks.
Project ECHO is more than a telehealth program — it is a community of practice. Fostering collaboration helps health workers share insights and support each other. This model has strengthened the U.S. health care system by reducing professional isolation and enhancing care quality in rural and remote regions.
Through the ECHO model, local clinicians gain access to continuous learning and mentorship. Specialists in universities and hospitals guide them through virtual clinics, helping solve real-world medical problems. As a result, patients receive faster diagnoses, better treatments, and improved outcomes without having to travel far.
Before founding Project ECHO, Dr. Arora held key leadership positions at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. He served as executive vice chair of internal medicine and president of the medical staff, playing an important role in advancing clinical education and care delivery.
Dr. Arora’s medical journey began in Nangal, Punjab, India, where he was born and raised. He earned his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune and completed his residency at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. In 1980, he moved to the United States to continue his training at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, later specializing in gastroenterology in New York and Boston.
His global perspective and deep commitment to equitable health care inspired the creation of Project ECHO. Today, the program operates worldwide, with hundreds of ECHO hubs addressing diverse topics from HIV care to education and climate health.
The Gustav O. Lienhard Award, presented annually by NAM, honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving health care in the United States. By selecting Dr. Arora, the Academy recognized his vision of “democratizing medical knowledge” — ensuring that
