Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is set to honor Frank Naeymi-Rad with an Honorary Doctor of Computer Science degree at its 156th Commencement ceremony. The event will take place today at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Naeymi-Rad, who earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Illinois Tech in 1990, is recognized for his contributions to medical informatics and health care technology.
Naeymi-Rad expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “It’s a profound honor to receive this recognition from Illinois Tech, an institution that helped me imagine a more connected and equitable future for health care.” He emphasized the importance of data in healing and expressed hope that this acknowledgment would inspire students to explore technology's role in humanity.
After completing his Ph.D., Naeymi-Rad pursued further education with an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science. His career led him to co-found Intelligent Medical Objects (IMO), which has become a leading provider of terminology services for electronic health records used by about 85 percent of U.S. physicians and nurses.
Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi praised Naeymi-Rad's work, saying, “Frank Naeymi-Rad’s work represents the ideal fusion of rigorous computer science and mission-driven innovation.”
In addition to his role at IMO, Naeymi-Rad directs Leap of Faith Technologies, where he initiated a program with Illinois Tech that involves students directly in digital health innovation projects. This initiative aims to provide practical experience in applying artificial intelligence to improve healthcare outcomes.
Lance Fortnow, dean of Illinois Tech’s College of Computing, noted the impact of Naeymi-Rad's contributions: “Frank’s visionary contributions to digital health have had an extraordinary ripple effect across the industry and within our university.”
Throughout his career, Naeymi-Rad has published over 50 scientific papers and holds 11 patents related to medical informatics. He founded the AMIA Pitch IT competition to foster entrepreneurial efforts in clinical analytics. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the American College of Medical Informatics in 2018.
Michael P. Galvin, Chair of Illinois Tech's Board, commented on Naeymi-Rad's legacy: "Frank Naeymi-Rad has built a legacy that spans discovery, entrepreneurship, and impact."
Naeymi-Rad continues to serve on various advisory boards while pushing forward advancements in computer science applications for healthcare improvements.