The membership of the Blue Ridge Group (BRG) consists of an "ad hoc" group of academic health center (AHC) leaders, health policy experts, and health policy thought leaders. Membership is by invitation only and is purposefully kept relatively small so as to maintain a relatively intimate, round-table environment for discussion of policy issues. Members are nominated and elected by the existing BRG members at the annual business meeting, which occurs during the annual policy retreat. Membership in recent years has remained relatively constant, at between 15-20 members.