Xavier University News October 2013 Benjamin to Receive Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism Regina M. Benjamin MD, the 18th U.S. Surgeon General (2009-2013) and nola.com/Times Picayune Endowed Chair in Public Health Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana, will accept the 2013 Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism from the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) at its annual Schweitzer Leadership Awards Ceremony & Reception in Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 1. She will also deliver a keynote speech at the organization's annual Leadership Conference on Nov. 2. The Prize for Humanitarianism recognizes an individual whose life example has significantly mitigated the social determinants of health in the US and/or abroad, and whose commitment to service influences and inspires others. Past honorees include Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, Norman Cousins, Marian Wright-Edelman, Dr. David Satcher, Ted Turner, and Desmond Tutu. "From her work with the National Health Service Corps as a medical student to her founding of the Bayou Clinic and her tenure as Surgeon General, Dr. Benjamin's service is an inspiring example for our Fellows, who will soon be influencing public policy in their own right," said Sylvia Stevens-Edouard, executive director of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. "Dr. Benjamin epitomizes Albert Schweitzer's famous observation, 'With a little reason and much heart, one can change many things, or move mountains.' We are so proud to honor her lifetime of service with the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism." "I am so pleased to be receiving The Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism," said Dr. Benjamin, a 1979 graduate of Xavier. "Advancement of public health takes patience and perseverance, and The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is giving those who will be undertaking this important work the leadership skills they will need to get the job done." The Prize for Humanitarianism is awarded annually in conjunction with ASF's Schweitzer Leadership Conference, an opportunity for established and emerging professionals to learn from leaders who are shaping the way we think, talk, and act when it comes to health equity, health care, social change, and public policy. Dr. Benjamin will deliver the afternoon plenary address at the Leadership Conference. The awards ceremony will be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge MA. Learn more about the ceremony and the conference at SchweitzerFellowship.org. Founded in 1940, ASF has 11 Fellowship sites around the country, including one in New Orleans. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.