During its annual Innovators in Health awards event on September 25, NEHI celebrated leaders who are: bringing to light the invisible needs of Veterans and their families, leading an inspiring example of patient-driven biopharmaceutical innovation, and champion for the advancement of underrepresented students and professionals in the biomedical and health sciences.
2019 honorees (pictured from left to right) The Red Sox Foundation, accepted by Executive Director, Bekah Salwasser; Dr. Joan Reede, and Dr. Sonia Vallabh and Dr. Eric Minikel.
The event, at the Westin Boston Waterfront, continued NEHI’s proud tradition of recognizing individuals who have inspired the community with their vision and achievements. The honorees (pictured from left to right) were The Red Sox Foundation, accepted by Executive Director, Bekah Salwasser; Dr. Joan Reede, President and Chair of the Biomedical Science Careers Program and Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Sonia Vallabh and Dr. Eric Minikel, Associated Scientists of Prions@Broad at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
Our first honoree, Bekah Salwasser took the stage to share the staggering statistics of Veteran mental health and suicide rates, and the strides that the Red Sox Foundation is taking towards addressing the invisible needs of Veterans and their families. Dr. Sonia Vallabh and Dr. Eric Minikel received a standing ovation for their deeply personal journey and mission to change the world of therapeutic development that calls for a focus on preventative drugs given to patients well before the onset of neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Joan Reede, NEHI's 2019 Henri A. Termeer Memorial Innovator in Health honoree, closed the awards with a call to action, stating that in the world of health care we need to create environments where individuals of all backgrounds can truly participate -- not just peek through the window.
