The U.S. Embassy congratulates the laureates, highlighting health cooperation as a central pillar of the strong U.S.-Thai Friendship
The 2018 Prince Mahidol Award Laureates, who received awards from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Chakri Throne hall on January 31, will be received at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence this evening for a reception that highlights health cooperation as a central pillar of the U.S. – Thai relationship.
This year, the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation conferred awards to three researchers from the United States. The Prince Mahidol Award in the field of medicine was conferred to Professor Brian J. Druker for his development of the prototype drug, Imatinib, using in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia; and to Professor Dr. Mary-Claire King for her discovery of a gene causing breast cancer. The Prince Mahidol Award in the field of public health is awarded to Professor John D. Clemens who worked with Swedish laureate Professor Jan R. Holmgren on the oral cholera vaccine development. This joint work, between an American and a Swede, exemplifies what international cooperation in public health can achieve, and exemplifies a key reason why international health cooperation is a central pillar of U.S.-Thai relations.
The reception, held at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, will be attended by medical personnel, and representatives from Thai and U.S. organizations that collaborate on medicine and public health, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Army Medical Component of the Armed Forces Research Institute of the Medical Sciences, and the United States Agency for International Development.
U.S. Charge d’Affaires Peter Haymond noted, “The Prince Mahidol Awards are recognized as some of the world’s most respected and prestigious awards in the field of medicine. Prince Mahidol, who studied at Harvard Medical School, is the father of modern medicine and public health in Thailand. In the words of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn, Prince Mahidol’s “life and work exemplify what we do to help mankind and inspire people to give back to society.”
He added, “The United States is proud and honored that the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation has recognized the contributions and achievements of three American medical and public health professionals. Health cooperation has grown to be a central pillar of the longstanding U.S.-Thai partnership. We look forward to taking many more steps with Thailand on the shared journey towards a healthier future.”
