Feature Story
Health Center Today, August 12, 2011
Career Research Award Named After UConn Health Center’s Dr. Laurencin
By Chris DeFrancesco
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin. (Click on image for larger view.)
Recently, the National Medical Association and the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute established the Cato T. Laurencin Distinguished Research Career Award.
The award, named after Laurencin recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding, consistent and long-lasting contributions to scientific research and inquiry.
At the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association’s recent annual meeting, the first recipient of the Cato T. Laurencin Award was honored. Dr. Jane C. Wright, who is credited with bringing the field of chemotherapy to the forefront of cancer treatment, is a former associate dean and professor of surgery at the New York University Medical Center and is regarded as a trailblazer in clinical trials research.
“To be able to present an award to a legend like Dr. Wright, who is a pioneer in cancer research, was really an honor for me.” Laurencin said.
"Dr. Cato T. Laurencin has been a prolific researcher throughout his career but more importantly has provided the opportunity for many young physicians to become academicians and researchers with high levels of achievement. The National Medical Association leadership was unanimous in its endorsement of this award," stated Dr. Randall C. Morgan, the Executive Director of the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association Health Institute.
Laurencin is the chief executive officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, director of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, and the Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. He is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.