A Detroit area family counseling agency will recognize Herman Gray, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the Wayne State University Department of Pediatrics, for his lifetime of community service.
Black Family Development Inc. will present Dr. Gray with its Dr. Gerald K. Smith Humanitarian Award during its 40th anniversary celebration Nov.15 at the MGM Grand Detroit.
The organization is a non-profit comprehensive family counseling agency established by the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers. BFDI offers a variety of specialized, family-focused counseling and advocacy services as it seeks to strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families through partnerships that support safe, nurturing, vibrant homes, schools and communities.
Alice Thompson, chief executive officer of the organization, said Black Family Development Inc. is honoring Dr. Gray for "his leadership and stellar community service."
"It is an honor to receive a recognition modeled after Dr. Gerald Smith," Dr. Gray said. "He was a truly impactful leader in our community, and a role model for many."
The award, named for the founder of YouthVille Detroit, is given to an individual who demonstrates the consistent qualities of a humanitarian by carrying out Smith's visionary leadership. Smith served as president and chief executive officer of YouthVille Detroit, previously known as the Detroit Youth Foundation, which seeks to help young people through mentoring and activities.
Dr. Gray, former president and chief executive officer of the DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, is a former WSU associate dean for Graduate Medical Education. He served as chief pediatric resident in the late 1970s. He also served as vice president of Graduate Medical Education, pediatric residency program director, chief of staff and chief operating officer for the hospital.
In 2005, he was named president and chief executive officer of CHM. He left that position in September 2015 to become president and chief executive officer of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Jack D. Sobel, M.D., dean of the WSU School of Medicine, named Dr. Gray chair of WSU Pediatrics in December 2017.
He has served as chief medical consultant for the Michigan Department of Community Health - Children's Special Health Services and as vice president and medical director of Clinical Affairs for Blue Care Network.
Dr. Gray has been honored many times for his humanitarian efforts related to pediatric health care. He has served on a variety of state and national committees and organizations, and is one of the founding commissioners on the U.S. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission.
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