George C. Hill, Ph.D., was recently honored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. (photo by Anne Rayner)
Infectious diseases foundation honors Hill
George C. Hill, Ph.D., Levi Watkins Jr. Professor and associate dean for Diversity in Medical Education and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, has been awarded the John P. Utz Leadership Award from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
The award is presented to individuals who, on behalf of the NFID, have provided exemplary service, leadership and vision in efforts to educate the public and health care professionals about the causes, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.
“This is an honor that is very special as it comes from those who are strong advocates for the prevention of infectious diseases throughout the world,” Hill said.
“Working with such committed colleagues from the private and public sector has been an honor and a privilege. The staff of NFID also are most effective and professional, and serving as president has been a most rewarding experience.”
Hill, a long-time member of the NFID, served as its president from 2008 to 2010. He helped draw attention to the issue of disparities in vaccination rates among minority communities in comparison to the general population.
He also advocated for strong support for the message of the benefits of vaccination as a public health tool to address infectious diseases.
William Schaffner, M.D., chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine, succeeded Hill as president of the NFID last year.
Hill was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 1998 and elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2002.
He was selected a “Giant in Science” for his efforts to motivate minority students into biomedical research.