Five Surgeons Are Honored for 2024 ACS/Pfizer Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards

The ACS Board of Governors Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards Workgroup has announced the recipients of the 2024 ACS/Pfizer Surgical Volunteerism and Humanitarian Awards. The awards are administered through the ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.).

The contributions of the five award recipients are briefly summarized in this article and will be formally recognized at Clinical Congress 2024 in San Francisco, California. Clinical Congress attendees are invited to hear the honorees speak on their experiences at the Panel Session, “Reports of the 2024 Volunteerism and Humanitarian Award Winners,” on Sunday, October 20.

Academic Global Surgeon Award

Catherine J. Juillard, MD, MPH, FACS, a trauma surgeon from Los Angeles, California, will receive the ACS/Pfizer Academic Global Surgeon Award for her work spearheading transformative healthcare initiatives as the director of the Program for the Advancement of Surgical Equity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She also is the founding director of the UCLA HEAL Trauma Program. Dr. Juillard has built a career marked by a commitment to enhancing surgical care both domestically and internationally.

Following her medical training and residency at UCLA, Dr. Juillard completed a fellowship in trauma and critical care at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She was the director of the Center for Global Surgical Studies and San Francisco Wraparound Project, both based at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. These positions underscored her interest in addressing complex health challenges through multidisciplinary approaches and community engagement.

The impact of Dr. Juillard extends beyond the US. Her research and leadership in projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have set benchmarks in improving access to quality surgical care in low- and middle-income countries. Notably, her work through the Data Science Center for the Study of Surgery, Injury, and Equity in Africa and Sustainable Trauma Research, Education, and Mentorship Program in Cameroon has been instrumental in enhancing surgical outcomes and building local capacities. These initiatives not only advance surgical science but also strengthen the infrastructures of healthcare systems, enabling them to deliver equitable and sustainable care to their communities.

Dr. Juillard’s dedication to global surgical equity also is exemplified by her ongoing efforts to mentor and train the next generation of surgeons and healthcare leaders.  

Surgical Humanitarian Award

Jason Peter Fader, MD, FACS, FCS(ECSA), a general surgeon in Burundi, will receive the ACS/Pfizer Surgical Humanitarian Award for his work at Kibuye Hope Hospital, where he transformed a small mission hospital into a major medical center.

Raised on a Navajo Reservation and later in Kenya, Dr. Fader developed an early appreciation for the transformative power of medical care in under-resourced areas. This exposure was the impetus for a passion for medicine, leading him to complete his medical education at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, followed by a general surgery residency and an international surgery fellowship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Dr. Fader’s commitment to improving global health guided him to Burundi, where he became a cornerstone in the revitalization of Kibuye Hope Hospital. Initially a small, rural mission hospital struggling with basic utilities, it transformed into a successful healthcare facility under his leadership.

Dr. Fader led efforts to develop the hospital’s infrastructure and significantly expand its surgical services. He was pivotal in establishing a comprehensive surgical residency program that equips local medical professionals with skills necessary for sustainable healthcare delivery in their communities. Today, the hospital annually performs more than 3,700 operations and treats more than 30,000 patients.

Through his dedication and leadership, Dr. Fader has elevated healthcare standards in Burundi and inspired a new generation of medical professionals. These individuals are committed to facing the challenges of delivering quality medical care in some of the world’s most difficult environments.

International Surgical Volunteerism Award

Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, MD, FACS, a neurosurgeon in Jacksonville, Florida, will receive the ACS/Pfizer International Surgical Volunteerism Award for his work as cofounder and president of mission:brain (Bridging Resources and Advancing International Neuroscience) Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to providing neurosurgical expertise and resources to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers in underserved areas throughout the world.

Known to patients and colleagues as Dr. Q, Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s journey from an immigrant farm worker to one of the most respected figures in neurosurgery is a testament to the power of determination and dedication.

He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, completed his residency and postdoctoral fellowship in neurosurgery at the University of California San Francisco, and held a professorship at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently, he serves as the James C. and Sarah K. Kennedy Dean of Research and holds the Monica Flynn Jacoby Endowed Chair for the Department of Neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic in Florida in Jacksonville.

Through his leadership at mission:brain, the foundation has been crucial in creating networks that link surgeons and caregivers to hospitals and patients without the money, equipment, or training to treat difficult neurosurgical diseases, significantly improving patient outcomes and healthcare practices.

Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s life story is captured in his internationally known book, Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon, which emphasizes the message that achieving a lasting, positive mark is possible no matter one’s origins.  

Domestic Surgical Volunteerism Award

Damon Howard Clark, MD, FACS, a general surgeon in Los Angeles, California, will receive the ACS/Pfizer Domestic Surgical Volunteerism Award for his extensive community service and commitment to medical education through initiatives like the “Surgeon for a Day” program and a tattoo removal service.

Dr. Clark, assistant professor of clinical surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), exemplifies dedication to surgical excellence and community service. As chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for the Department of Surgery, director of the Division of Acute Care Surgery, and associate director of the surgical intensive care unit at Keck Medicine of USC, Dr. Clark is committed to advancing clinical practices and promoting inclusive medical environments.

Beyond his clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Clark is an advocate for community outreach, focusing his efforts on addressing the crucial issues of violence, injury, and trauma. His innovative initiatives, such as the “Surgeon for a Day” program, provide unique, hands-on experiences that inspire future medical professionals. His leadership in the “Parents for Peace” support group and transformative tattoo removal service has made significant impacts, helping to heal and rehabilitate communities affected by violence and gang affiliation.

Dr. Clark’s dedication extends to the educational realm, where his commitment to teaching has been recognized multiple times with prestigious awards. These awards include the C. J. Berne Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award and the Demetriades Teaching Award, which he has received four times for his exemplary contributions to the USC Division of Acute Care Surgery.  

Resident Surgical Volunteerism Award

Nichole Starr, MD, MPH, a trauma and critical care surgeon in San Francisco, California, will receive the ACS/Pfizer Resident Surgical Volunteerism Award for her impactful work with the Lifebox Foundation in Ethiopia, which has set new standards for surgical safety and had a substantial influence on healthcare policies and practices in resource-limited settings.

Currently a trauma and surgical critical care fellow at UCSF, Dr. Starr’s surgical training began with a general surgery residency at the same institution, where she honed her skills and developed a commitment to enhancing surgical safety worldwide.

Dr. Starr’s dedication to global health led her to Ethiopia, where she significantly contributed to the Lifebox Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to making surgery safer through tools, training, and partnerships, from 2018 to 2021. As both a fellow and senior fellow, she was instrumental in implementing the Clean Cut® program across multiple surgical hospitals in Ethiopia. This Lifebox surgical infection reduction program has been vital in enhancing surgical safety, reducing the risk of infections, and dramatically improving patient outcomes.

Her focus also has extended beyond program implementation. Dr. Starr excelled as an NIH Fogarty Global Health Equity Scholar, focusing on surgical quality improvement and infection prevention. Her expertise and advice have been sought by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health’s Emergency, Injury, and Critical Care Directorate, where she has made impactful decisions to advance trauma care.

In addition to her work in Ethiopia, Dr. Starr has engaged in significant research projects across Brazil and Liberia, further underscoring her commitment to improving international surgical and trauma care. She continues to serve as a surgical advisor at the Lifebox Foundation, influencing global surgical practices and policies.