Herrera Recieves Hippocrates Society Humanitarian Award

Manuel Guillermo Herrera, MD, founder and director of the BWH Spanish Clinic—the first of its kind in New England when it opened in 1971—was honored in June with the 2007 Humanitarian Award from BWH’s Hippocrates Society.

The Humanitarian Award is the highest honor handed down annually by the Hippocrates Society, which is comprised of BWH physicians and scientists who make philanthropic gifts to BWH.

“Guillermo has truly walked the walk when it comes to taking care of patients in our community in a selfless manner, teaching hundreds of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health students, being a strong conscience for compassionate and humanitarian care and advancing the care of patients in our community,” said Robert Goldszer, MD, MBA, associate chief medical officer.

More than 3,000 patients visited the BWH Spanish Clinic in the last year, a reflection of the dedication of the Spanish Clinic team and leadership in BWH’s efforts to respond to the needs of the growing Latino population. Herrera also coordinates a medical student exchange program between Harvard Medical School and five Latin American academic medical centers.

In addition to honoring Herrera, the event celebrated the members of the Hippocrates Society, which was established in 2002 to recognize physicians and scientists who make significant philanthropic donations to BWH. With 13 new members in the last year, the Hippocrates Society boasts a membership of 74.

Cardiac surgeon Lawrence Cohn, MD, who chairs BWH’s new Physician Scientist Fundraising Program, hopes that next year will bring more new members to the Hippocrates Society. “When we demonstrate a strong financial commitment to BWH and our peers, it sends a powerful message of how strongly we believe in our mission,” he said.

BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, thanked the society members for their philanthropy. “We are so very grateful to the many men and women here tonight who have gone beyond their calling, and who have helped support BWH through their personal generosity,” he said.