Nour Named 2005 Thomson Leader- Clinical & Research News - For and about the Physicians and Researchers of Brigham and Women's HospitalNour Named 2005 Thomson Leader- Clinical & Research News - For and about the Physicians and Researchers of Brigham and Women's Hospital

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Nour Named 2005 Thomson Leader

The legacy of the late Dennis Thomson, former vice president of Public Affairs, was celebrated as staff and former colleagues, friends and family of Thomson gathered in the Bornstein Amphitheater for the Annual Thomson Lecture and Award Presentation at the end of March.

Those in attendance were treated to the presentation of the Thomson Leadership and Compassionate Care Scholarship Awards as well as a moving keynote address from Rev. Gloria White Hammond, MD, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston, a pediatrician at the South End of Community Health Center and a missionary in Sudan.

“Carrying on the compassionate spirit of Dennis Thomson, BWH strives to provide, promote and reward compassionate care even in the most sensitive of circumstances,” said BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, who set the tone for the event by welcoming the crowd and then announcing Nawal Nour, MD, MPH, as the 2005 recipient of the Thomson Leadership Award.

Nour is the founder and director of BWH's African Women's Health Practice-the country's only center of its kind that focuses on both physical and emotional needs of female circumcision victims. She is the first physician to receive the Leadership Award. “Like Dennis and past recipients of this high honor, Nawal has distinct leadership qualities that set an example for colleagues to learn from and newcomers to follow,” said Gottlieb.

Although Nour could not be present due to scheduling conflicts, she was “thrilled and humbled” to receive the Thomson Leadership Award, and was able to share her pre-recorded acceptance remarks with the Bornstein audience. “I only hope to live up to these formidable values,” said Nour, who also thanked many individuals at BWH who have helped her make in a difference in her patients' lives.

The program then moved on to the keynote presentation from White Hammond, who shared insight gained from interactions with women forced to flee their homes to seek refuge at makeshift camps in Darfur, the western region of Sudan.

White Hammond's powerful remarks were followed by the presentation of the 2005 Compassionate Care Scholarships. Each scholar received a stipend to carry out a proposed project to help instill compassion among colleagues.

This year's event was another special opportunity for those who knew Thomson to recognize and reward key individuals at BWH to help carry on his legacy.