News Release
THE FOUNDATION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ANNOUNCES
WINNERS
OF THE
2003-2004 MICHAEL E. DEBAKEY JOURNALISM AWARDS
WASHINGTON: The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) today announced
the winners of the 2003-2004 Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Awards. This
prestigious journalism prize program was established in 2001 to bring
American journalists and scientists together to inspire exceptional,
outstanding, and ongoing news coverage of biomedical research that involves
laboratory animals.
This year, the DeBakey Awards are proudly cosponsored by the Paralyzed
Veterans of America (PVA) through its two foundations, the PVA Research
Foundation and the PVA Education Foundation.
The recipients of the Third Annual DeBakey Awards are:
Print (Large Market): Susan Paynter, columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
for “This Line of Work Shouldn’t Be a Dirty Little Secret”
(pdf)
an insightful and revealing article about the contributions of animal
research to human medicine, the dedication of those who pursue it, and
the abuse to which they are routinely subjected by activists who equate
the value of a human life to that of a lab rat.
Print (Small Market): Larry Gierer, reporter for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
(Columbus, Ga.) for “Putting Athletes in Motion”
(pdf), a thoroughly
informative exposé on a remarkable and sophisticated sports medicine
program for animals at Auburn University dedicated to diagnosing and
treating the joints of horses, dogs, and other animals, in order to
ensure they live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
Internet: Andy Dworkin, reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive.com for
“Strokes Can Ready Brain for Big One”
(PDF), an outstanding report
on complex, groundbreaking research with mice and rats that points to
a possible stroke-protection mechanism, a previously unknown genetic
link between humans and hibernating animals, and a promising potential
for protecting the human brain during cardiac bypass surgery.
Television: Amy Clancy, reporter and news anchor for KIRO-TV (Seattle, Wash.) for “Woman Saved by Animal Testing Speaks Out,” (5 MB video .wmv file) a
moving and educational profile of a woman whose life was saved by a
successful kidney transplant and her quest to promote public understanding
and appreciation for the vital role of lab animals in medical research
and discovery.
The awards, which for each winner include a cash prize of $3,000 and
a heart-shaped trophy — crafted by Canadian glass artist Robert
Held — will be presented personally by Dr. DeBakey tomorrow evening,
Thursday, May 27 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Dr. DeBakey, the chancellor emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine,
is world renowned for his contributions as a premier heart surgeon,
medical inventor, scholar, teacher, and international medical statesman.
Affectionately referred to as “The King of Hearts,” the
father of modern cardiovascular surgery is the recipient of 57 honorary
degrees and the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. Dr.
DeBakey is this country’s most honored physician. He is the recipient
of the prestigious Lasker Award for Research, the National Medal of
Science, the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award, the AMA Distinguished
Service Award, and the United Nation’s Lifetime Achievement Award,
among others. He has been named “A Living Legend” by the
Library of Congress and has been inducted into the Health Care Hall
of Fame. Last year, NASA recognized him with the Commercial Invention
of the Year Award for his work on the DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device,
which is based – in part – on space shuttle technology.
In addition, in 2003, Dr. DeBakey received the Gold Hippocrates International
Award, which is presented each year to ten leading physicians in the
world in recognition of their exceptional humanity, modesty, intelligence,
and knowledge. On May 19, Dr. DeBakey was nominated for the Congressional
Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian honor.
FBR is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to
promoting public understanding, respect, and support for the humane
and responsible use of animals in medical and scientific research. For
more information on FBR, please visit its Web site at www.fbresearch.org.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), founded in 1946, is the leading
advocate for veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal
cord injury or dysfunction. For more information on PVA, please visit
its Web site at www.pva.org.
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