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News Release

July 10, 2009

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

Medical School Dean Receives Presidential Award for Excellence

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, vice president for health affairs at the University of Connecticut Health Center and dean of the UConn School of Medicine, has been chosen to receive a prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence by President Obama. Dr. Laurencin is one of 22 science, math, and engineering mentors who will receive their awards in the Fall at a White House ceremony.  

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, awarded each year to individuals or organizations, recognizes the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students studying science or engineering. "There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders," President Obama said. "These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all."

Laurencin has achieved national and international prominence as an orthopaedic surgeon and chemical engineering expert. He holds the Health Center’s Van Dusen Endowed Chair in Academic Medicine and is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He also holds an appointment in the School of Engineering as a professor of chemical, materials and biomolecular engineering.  Dr. Laurencin is a Fellow of the American Surgical Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has been named to America’s Top Doctors. At the same time, he has been named one of the 100 engineers of the modern era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and most recently received the Galletti Award from the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering which cited his important research in tissue engineering.  Dr. Laurencin is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

"I am humbled and honored by this award. Mentoring aspiring physicians, scientists, and engineers has been, and continues to be, one of the most gratifying aspects of my career. On behalf of the students I have had the privilege of knowing, I am delighted to receive this award."

Photo: http://today.uchc.edu/images/news/laurencin_profile.jpg
Caption: Dr. Cato T. Laurencin of the UConn Health Center has been chosen to receive a prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence by President Obama.

UConn Health includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital. Home to Bioscience Connecticut, UConn Health pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. More information about UConn Health is available at www.uchc.edu.

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