New York (August 17, 2016) – The New York Academy of Medicine is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious annual awards for distinguished contributions by individuals in health policy, public health, clinical practice, biomedical research and an individual who has made significant contributions to the Academy. The awards will be presented at the Academy’s 169th Anniversary Discourse & Awards on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Academy (1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street), which is free and open to the public with registration. If not already a Fellow, each awardee will also be recognized at the event as an honorary Fellow of the Academy.
“The individuals recognized this year have each made significant contributions to the health of the public through innovative research, practice, policy, or programs that address the complex determinants of health,” said Jo Ivey Boufford, MD, Academy President. “The New York Academy of Medicine is proud to honor each of these leaders for their outstanding accomplishments.”
As part of this important annual event, the Academy is also pleased to welcome Donna Shalala, PhD, President of the Clinton Foundation and former Secretary for Health and Human Services, to deliver the 169th Anniversary Discourse on the topic of future directions for the health system in America. At a time of rapid change, Dr. Shalala is uniquely qualified to reflect on where we’ve been, and provide perspectives on future priorities for the nation’s health.
The Academy’s tradition of hosting an annual discourse on an important issue of the day began in 1847 with an oration delivered to an audience of 2,500 people at the Broadway Tabernacle by Dr. John W. Francis. The tradition of honoring excellence in medicine and health began in 1929 with the establishment of the Academy Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science.
Richard P. Lifton, MD, PhD, President-Elect of The Rockefeller University and currently Chair of the Department of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine, will receive the Academy Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science for his seminal work in human genetics and genomics that identified mutations and elucidated biochemical mechanisms for hypertension, leading to more effective prevention and treatment.
David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, President of the Commonwealth Fund, will receive the Academy Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Health Policy, particularly for his service as the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under President Obama, where he implemented one of the largest publicly funded infrastructure investments the nation has ever made, as well as his continued contributions towards advancing a high performance health system in the United States through his research and policy activities.
Linda Rosenstock, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, will receive the Stephen Smith Award for Distinguished Contributions in Public Health for her leadership in occupational and environmental health while director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and later in academia, making work environments safer for millions of Americans.
David L. Olds, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, Nursing, and Public Health, and Director of the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, will receive The John Stearns Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Clinical Practice for developing the home visiting program known as the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a highly effective intervention for improving health and social outcomes for first time, at-risk pregnant women.
Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, will receive The New York Academy of Medicine’s Award for Exceptional Service to the Academy for her distinguished service on the Academy’s Board of Trustees, including as Vice-Chair, and her active engagement in the policy work of the Academy, especially its Age-friendly NYC initiative.
About The New York Academy of Medicine
The New York Academy of Medicine advances solutions that promote the health and well-being of people in cities worldwide.
Established in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine continues to address the health challenges facing New York City and the world’s rapidly growing urban populations. We accomplish this through our Institute for Urban Health, home of interdisciplinary research, evaluation, policy, and program initiatives; our world class historical medical library and its public programming in history, the humanities and the arts; and our Fellows program, a network of more than 2,000 experts elected by their peers from across the professions affecting health. Our current priorities are healthy aging, disease prevention, and eliminating health disparities. For more information, visit www.nyam.org.
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