Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson is renowned for his research on glaucoma and blindness in populations from the Caribbean to West Africa. As the former deputy director for strategic scientific planning and program coordination at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health, Wilson has forged a distinguished career helping to improve the quality of life for people from diverse backgrounds.

On Aug. 1, he was one of eight medical professionals honored for their work toward eliminating health disparities and advancing minority health.

Wilson received the Cato T. Laurencin M.D., Ph.D. Distinguished Research Career Award during the opening ceremony of the National Medical Association's 113th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly, held Aug. 1-5 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated more than 20 years of consistent, long-lasting contributions to benefit African Americans and reduce health disparities through recognized research and leadership.

Specifically, Wilson was selected for an extraordinary career dedicated to improving the health status of minority populations in his role as a master physician and surgeon, an innovative researcher with international focus, and as an academic leader, in the true spirit of Dr. Cato T. Laurencin.

"It is an honor to receive an award in the namesake of such a prolific scientist and physician. Dr. Laurencin is a respected and admired leader with whom I am proud to serve in the medical profession," President Wilson said.