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Co-Developer of the Measles Vaccine, Samuel L. Katz, MD, Receives the Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children's Health Care

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 09:01 CDT

Nemours, one of the nation's largest children's health systems, announced that Samuel L. Katz, MD, Wilburt Cornell Davison Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, will be honored with the 2006 Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children's Health Care. Dr. Katz will receive the award at the duPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday, September 26, 2006. An original member of the team that developed the measles virus vaccine now used throughout the world, Dr. Katz is being honored for his lifetime of research and service to children. He will receive a $50,000 cash prize and an original Steuben Glass crystal sculpture as recipient of the national award.

The Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children's Health Care was established in 2001 by the Board of Directors of Nemours to honor duPont's legacy of care for children. In his life and work, Alfred I. duPont, benefactor of Nemours, was creative but exacting -- seeking for himself and inspiring others to achieve excellence. Dr. Katz's lifetime of dedication to the research and prevention of childhood diseases, particularly with measles, fulfils the ideals of the Award's criteria.

"I was thrilled, flattered and overwhelmed when I learned of this award. With so many of these awards, one must always remember you build on the shoulders of those that precede you. As a surviving member of the original team that discovered the measles vaccine, I'm humbled by this recognition," said Dr. Katz. "From an estimated eight million children dying from the measles annually prior to vaccine availability to an estimated 454,000 reported in 2005, if there's anything I've done to have any bearing on the thrust of this award, I would hope this is it. Measles is my hallmark."

The duPont Award reflects Nemours' national commitment to upholding the delivery of safe, high quality care to patients and to support individuals who are advocates for improving the health care of children.

"Dr. Katz's work has impacted and saved the lives of millions of children worldwide. That is the very essence of what this award represents -- excellence in children's health care. His dedication to this field has shown no signs of slowing down. His relentless prevention pursuit continues today," said John "Jack" Porter III, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nemours. "Dr. Katz is truly a remarkable icon in pediatric preventive medicine and Nemours salutes him for his lifetime of dedication to improving the lives of children."

For more details on the award, additional information about this year's recipient and to download a photograph of Dr. Katz, please visit: http://www.nemours.org/internet?url=no/info/award/katz.html

About Nemours

Nemours provides institutions and services to improve the health of children. Employing over 400 pediatric physicians, subspecialists and surgeons, Nemours cared for approximately a quarter of a million children during nearly one million encounters in 2005, making Nemours one of the nation's largest children's health systems.

In addition to the many ongoing research, education, health and prevention programs, Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and major children's specialty centers in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees) and many primary care pediatric practices throughout Delaware. Additionally, the most visited health care Web site online for parents, kids, and teens, www.kidshealth.org is a project of Nemours.

Nemours is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Florida, University of Delaware, Christiana Care Health System, Main Line Health System, Virtua Health, AtlantiCare Regional Health System, Baptist Medical Center (Wolfson Children's Hospital), Orlando Regional Medical Center (Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women) and Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. Additional information can be found at www.nemours.org.

 Contact: Odette Struys National Media Relations (904) 232-4186 Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=621A94F026726179  

SOURCE: Nemours

Source: MARKET WIRE

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