Brian Strom Named 2025 New Jersey Educator of the Year

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Brian Strom, the first chancellor of Rutgers Health, received the 2025 New Jersey Educator of the Year Award from the Research & Development Council of New Jersey on November 20. This honor recognizes Strom’s significant contributions to health care education and mentorship.

As he prepares to step down in December after 12 years in office, Strom reflected on his journey and the lasting impact of his mentorship. “Science doesn’t end when our careers end,” he said. “We need to think about who is going to succeed us, who is going to follow us, who is going to do better than we did.”

Strom’s dedication to developing the next generation of health care professionals is evident in his work. Over the years, he has guided numerous medical professionals, including those at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University. He has authored or co-authored more than 650 research papers and 15 books, highlighting his commitment to academic excellence.

One of Strom’s mentees, Dr. Gregory Peck, now an associate professor of surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, shared how impactful Strom has been in his career. “Brian has had a more positive influence on my career than anyone else I’ve had the privilege to work with,” Peck said.

Strom implemented a faculty mentoring program at Rutgers to support junior faculty members. This initiative ensures each new doctor has a senior professor to guide them through their careers, enhancing their professional development. “When I arrived at Rutgers, there was no mentoring program for faculty,” he recalled. His efforts have established a robust mentoring culture at the institution.

Strom’s influence extends beyond academia. He cites personal experiences—such as a life-threatening medical episode diagnosed by Peck—as moments that embody the spirit of mentorship. “Peck examined me and immediately suspected the very disease he was studying,” Strom said. His timely intervention led to emergency surgery, underscoring the vital link between mentorship and professional growth.

Throughout his tenure, Strom has overseen the growth of Rutgers Health into a leading academic health center, attracting $4 billion in research funding and enhancing its reputation. His legacy of mentorship remains central to his identity as an educator.

Strom concluded, “For all that we did building this institution, the heart of my career has always remained the same: teaching and mentorship. Seeing former trainees become leaders who elevate their entire field, that is the legacy I value most.”