The American Cancer Society has recognized a volunteer faculty member of the Wayne State University School of Medicine for his work to promote minority health through partnerships with local health institutions like the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Adnan Hammad, Ph.D., a public health policy professional, researcher and volunteer professor of the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, received the St. George National Award last month.
"My strength in volunteering with ACS is really the design of bicultural and bilingual programs for the community at large, and working with local researchers and academics," he said.
Dr. Hammad also teaches in the WSU School of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy.
He is senior director of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services' Community Health and Research Center in Dearborn, and chairman of the organization's National and International Research Initiative.
Locally, Dr. Hammad and his staff at ACCESS work to establish partnerships with organizations like KCI and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "ACCESS is the only outreach arm for Karmanos to screen thousands of women and refer them to Karmanos for further intervention," Dr. Hammad said. "They are great allies and great partners."
The St. George Award is given annually to volunteers who demonstrate ongoing leadership in community mission delivery and have significantly contributed to further the society's strategic goals and mission-driven programs.
"I think this award is really an award I received on behalf of the many cancer survivors we work with every day, as well as the staff at ACCESS," he said.
He joined the charity's Great Lakes Division Board of Directors in 2005, and served as director-at-large for the national ACS from 2009 to 2011.
"Because of his expertise in community health services policy and knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention and public health issues related to minority populations — specifically Arab Americans — Dr. Hammad is a valuable asset to the American Cancer Society. It is an honor and privilege to have Dr. Hammad on our Great Lakes Division team," said Nancy Yaw, executive vice president of the ACS and Great Lakes Division operating officer, in a news release. "His overwhelming commitment to people of all races and cultures help us fight cancer right here in Michigan and around the world as well."
Dr. Hammad holds a doctorate in public health policy and has nearly 25 years of experience in health policy and development in the United States, Israel and England.
His son, Aws Hammad, will enter the School of Medicine's Class of 2016 this fall.
Dr. Hammad will provide opening remarks for the sixth International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities, set for Oct. 15-17 at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, organized by ACCESS. The event's scientific programming is jointly sponsored by the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center and the School of Medicine.
The conference will convene local, national and international medical practitioners, and public and mental health professionals at a scientific forum dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health, the impact of genetics on health and chronic disease, and issues associated with quality of health care in Arab communities around the world.
For more information, visit www.arabhealthconference.org.