For immediate release
November 11, 2006
Boris D. Lushniak, MD, current FDA Assistant Commissioner, Counterterrorism Policy, and Rear Admiral/Assistant Surgeon General in the US Public Health Service, was awarded the American Medical Association (AMA) Dr. William Beaumont Award in Medicine today at the AMA semi-annual policy-making meeting in Las Vegas. Dr. Lushniak received the award for his leadership to address public health issues following Hurricane Katrina, assisting more than 12,000 Katrina evacuees.
"Dr. Boris D. Lushniak reached thousands of Katrina victims through his leadership of Team San Antonio, a truly honorable feat during such a chaotic time for our nation," said AMA Board Chair Cecil B. Wilson, MD. "We're delighted to honor him with the Dr. William Beaumont Award in Medicine, awarded to a distinguished younger physician for his or her work in medical sciences."
Under Dr. Lushniak's leadership Team San Antonio, made up of U.S. Public Health Service officers, served as Health and Human Services (HHS) liaisons for all public health issues related to 12,000 Katrina victims. Dr. Lushniak established the HHS Secretary's Response Team, working with state and local officials to address multiple public health issues and establish evacuation shelters where Katrina victims received primary health care. He also convened a Medical Manpower Committee to align local needs and resources and resolve issues related to shortages of medical supplies.
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