The ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.) has announced the recipients of the 2024 ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards. These distinguished surgeons have made exceptional contributions to global surgical care, embodying the spirit of humanitarian service and volunteerism.
The five award recipients, whose accomplishments are described briefly in this article, will be formally recognized at Clinical Congress 2024 in San Francisco, California. Attendees are invited to hear the honorees speak at the Panel Session, “Reports of the 2024 Volunteerism and Humanitarian Award Winners,” on Sunday, October 20.
Academic Global Surgeon Award: Catherine Juillard, MD, MPH, FACS
Dr. Juillard, a professor of surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), will be honored for her outstanding contributions to surgical equity worldwide. As the director of the Program for the Advancement of Surgical Equity and the UCLA HEAL Trauma Program, Dr. Juillard's leadership in international surgical initiatives has dramatically improved care and training in resource-limited regions, especially in Africa.
Surgical Humanitarian Award: Jason Peter Fader, MD, FACS, FCS (ECSA)
Dr. Fader will be honored for his work at Kibuye Hope Hospital in Burundi, where he transformed a small mission hospital into a major medical center, conducting more than 3,700 operations annually. His efforts have not only enhanced healthcare delivery but have also fostered a new generation of medical professionals through a robust surgical residency program.
International Surgical Volunteerism Award: Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, MD, FACS
Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa will be recognized for his work as co-founder of Mission: Brain, a nonprofit aiming to improve neurosurgical care globally. Dr. Q, as he is known, came from humble beginnings as a migrant farm worker and became a top neurosurgeon and researcher; his life’s work has inspired many to believe in the power of perseverance and dedication.
Domestic Surgical Volunteerism Award: Damon Howard Clark, MD, FACS
Dr. Clark, from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, is being honored for his extensive community service and commitment to medical education. Through initiatives like the “Surgeon for a Day” program and a transformative tattoo removal service, Dr. Clark has significantly impacted underserved communities in the US.
Resident Surgical Volunteerism Award: Nichole Starr, MD, MPH
Dr. Starr, a trauma and surgical critical care fellow at the University of California, San Francisco, will be honored for her impactful work with the Lifebox Foundation in Ethiopia. She has set new standards for surgical safety and has had a substantial influence on healthcare policies and practices in resource-limited settings.
The October Bulletin will feature an expanded article with much more about the achievements of these philanthropic surgeons.
