Core Values: Guiding Every Step We Take
Why Core Values Matter Now More Than Ever
Since November 2024, SBM’s Board of Directors has worked diligently to define a set of core values that reflect who we are and what we stand for. As the behavioral medicine healthcare and research landscapes grow more complex, our values help us stay grounded, focused, and mission aligned. These aren’t just words on a page—they are principles actively shaping SBM’s path forward.
Integrity and Accountability
Ethics First. Always.
We maintain the highest levels of ethical and scientific standards. We practice due diligence and transparency in decision making, and we are always good stewards of our resources.
Strong Foundation: Members know SBM's journals and Annual Meeting adhere to rigorous scientific standards and peer review processes. Our Board for many years has had its own code of ethics, and in 2021 we formally adopted a code of ethics for members as well. Together, we hold ourselves and our work to the highest standards.
Forward Momentum: A Responsible Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy, approved by the Board in April 2025, is just one way that SBM ensures high ethical and scientific standards are a constant, even as technology evolves. Leaders are also being more intentional than ever about having continuous dialogue with members - through forms, surveys, emails, conversation webinars, and more, we want to hear you, and we are listening.
“I am consistently impressed with the level of integrity, commitment, and engagement from SBM volunteers at every level of the organization. I have personally watched our volunteer leaders approach decision making with great thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and emphasis on rigorous evidence. This care is one of many aspects that make me proud to be a part of SBM.” - Christine Hunter, PhD, ABPP, SBM Current President
Learning and Development
Growth is a Lifelong Commitment.
We foster lifelong professional education, training, and growth. We work together and support multidisciplinary, respectful collaborations and interactions.
Strong Foundation: Our articles of incorporation from SBM's founding in the 1970s clearly state the organization exists for collaborative, interdisciplinary education of researchers, clinicians, and public agencies. At SBM, learning comes in many forms, including our flagship Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. The first SBM Annual Meeting in 1979 had 28 poster presentations. In 2025, we had 1,081!
Forward Momentum: SBM offers myriad professional development programs for students, early-career professionals, and mid-career members. As the field of behavioral medicine nears its 50th year, our 2025 strategic plan calls us to investigate programming and networking for later-career stage scientists too.
"When I attended my first annual meeting over two decades ago … I remember standing in the poster hall, wide-eyed and enthusiastic (but with a serious case of imposter syndrome). Before long, the SBM president and other members visited, shared their thoughts, and gave me a much-needed efficacy jolt. SBM has since supported me throughout my career, opening doors, and guiding me at every professional turn." - Gary Bennett, PhD, SBM Past President
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Welcoming All, Valuing Each Voice.
We strive to be an organization where everyone feels welcomed as their authentic selves.
Strong Foundation: SBM doubled down on its pre-existing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2017, long before those three words became an abbreviation. That year we created a working group that ultimately founded SBM's Diversity Institute for Emerging Leaders, which has now helped more than 100 participants understand and apply DEI in their work.
Forward Momentum: With the 2025 change in U.S. presidential administrations, some entities have walked back their DEI commitments. SBM has not changed or softened its DEI commitment. We are instead amplifying our DEI journey this year by partnering with organizations that serve minority professionals, making our events even more accessible, and conducting a member survey about SBM's culture so we can keep learning and doing better.
"DEI work is about making sure that my children who are growing up now see people who look like them in a variety of different spaces. It is also important that diverse perspectives are at the table to help us better deal with challenges. … We can't give up! We have to keep going forward and SBM is helping to do that." - Monica Baskin, PhD, FSBM, SBM Past President
Scientific Evidence in Action
Evidence Drives Everything.
We promote use of scientific evidence in all aspects of health education, research, practice, and policy. Our focus is on evidence that will improve the health and well-being of all individuals, families, communities, and populations.
Strong Foundation: SBM created a Health Policy Committee in 2004, started a translational journal in 2011, and launched public-facing health tip articles in 2019. These efforts - and many more - have helped behavioral medicine evidence reach literally thousands!
Forward Momentum: In response to the changing policy landscape, SBM's Board voted in spring 2025 to create new policy priority areas advocating for Congress to sufficiently fund the National Institutes of Health and to strengthen infectious disease prevention and care (including work on vaccination and on HIV). The Board is also moving forward with member training on op-ed writing and combatting misinformation. Plus they are actively fast-tracking policy position statements and Healthy Living articles to share scientific evidence about women's health, reproductive health, LGBTQ+ health, vaccines, and health disparities with legislators and the public, respectively.
“As an SBM Policy Ambassador, the legislative staffer asked for some evidence about telehealth, which I found and shared with them. A month or so later, the legislator's e-newsletter described a new telehealth bill they had introduced, and it included my recommendation. It was satisfying to see my efforts pay off." - Heather Hardin, PhD, SBM Policy Ambassador