Billy Hudson, PhD (Ellis Island Honors Society)
Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy awarded Billy Hudson, PhD, Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology and the Elliott V. Newman Professor of Medicine, with a 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 16 at a black-tie gala held on Ellis Island.
Hudson, who was chosen to be a featured speaker at the event, was joined by fellow recipients including country music legend Lee Greenwood, who sang “God Bless the USA” in front of the esteemed crowd of roughly 800 attendees.
The event was held in Ellis Island’s Great Hall, which served as the gateway for 12 million immigrants to the U.S. Other selected speakers included the 70th U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
A total of 76 Americans were honored in 2026 for their contributions in philanthropy, humanitarian advocacy, technological and medical innovation, and professional achievements.
Kazeminy said Hudson was selected in recognition of his pioneering contributions to matrix biology and transformative discoveries in type IV collagen research, which have fundamentally advanced the understanding of kidney disease, including Alport syndrome, Goodpasture’s disease, and diabetic kidney disease.
Equally inspiring was Hudson’s dedication to expanding opportunity in science, technology, engineering and math through initiatives such as the Aspirnaut STEM Pipeline, reflecting a commitment not only to discovery, but to developing the next generation of scientific leaders, Kazeminy said.
A native of rural Grapevine, Arkansas, Hudson joins the ranks of several U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates and influential leaders, including former President Bill Clinton and country singer Glenn Campbell as people from Arkansas who have received the honor, and Naji Abumrad, MD, a 2004 medalist, as a Vanderbilt Health recipient.
He was nominated by 2022 medalist Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA, a world-renowned portrait artist who has been affiliated with the Hudsons and the Aspirnaut STEM Pipeline for more than a decade.
Hudson accepted the award on behalf of his wife Julie Hudson, MD, brother Johnny Hudson, and sister Ann Kincl, who are co-founders of the Aspirnaut STEM Pipeline, his 13 high school classmates who helped implement the Pipeline, and the nearly 400 high school and undergraduate students who have participated in the Pipeline over the past two decades.
Founded in 1986 by EIHS, the honor is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated “outstanding commitment to serving our nation either professionally, culturally or civically” and “reflect a proud commitment to our nation’s ideals of diversity, opportunity and service,” according to the organization.
“Dr. Hudson’s selection is a testament to a lifetime devoted to excellence, integrity and meaningful impact. His pioneering contributions and steadfast commitment to advancing knowledge embody the very spirit of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor,” EIHS Chairman Kazeminy said. “We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”
The Ellis Island Medals of Honor rank among the nation’s most renowned awards, officially recognized by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with each year’s recipients listed in the Congressional Record.
EIHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which, in addition to presenting the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, is a humanitarian organization supporting educational opportunities for students with immigrant heritage and preserving the Ellis Island National Monument.
