Two trailblazing women and a courageous physician couple were honored by the National Center for Health Research at its 11th annual luncheon at the Cosmos Club on May 8, the Friday before Mother’s Day.
The Foremother Awards honor lifetime achievements by distinguished DC- area women who broke down barriers for other women and whose inspiring work improved the lives of adults and children across the country. “While protecting American families from online predators and empowering women and minorities, our 2015 Foremothers were also noteworthy for how they accomplished so much – by encouraging and supporting others,” says Dr. Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research.
The Health Policy Hero Awards celebrate extraordinary recent accomplishments. This is the first year that the honorees are patient advocates: two physicians, a husband and wife, Dr. Amy Reed and Dr. Hooman Noorchashm. In the two years since Dr. Reed underwent a “routine” medical procedure with a medical device that mistakenly spread her small, treatable cancer throughout her body, she and her husband have convinced the Food and Drug Administration to issue a very strong warning discouraging its use, and many physicians and insurance companies have dramatically restricted the use of the device, saving thousands of lives. Now, the FBI is investigating whether the harm from this surgical tool was ignored.
Receiving the Foremother Awards this year are Jodie Bernstein and Karen Mulhauser.
Jodie Bernstein is one of the nation’s foremost consumer advocates. Serving as the first female Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, she transformed the Bureau into the model for consumer protection agencies around the world. Ms. Bernstein was dubbed the country’s “Top Cybercop” for her efforts to protect online privacy, assure safe online shopping, and prevent identity theft. Her initiatives included cracking down on subprime lending and spearheading the government’s first investigation into marketing of violent movies, music, and video games to children.
Karen Mulhauser has dedicated her life to key progressive causes, and was one of the early leaders of the modern women’s movement. Shortly after the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, she became the director of the Washington, D.C. office of National Abortion Rights Action League. She subsequently started the Women’s Information Network for D.C.-area young women starting political and policy careers, worked to strengthen voter registration efforts, established the Citizens against Nuclear War coalition, and led delegations to Geneva, Reykjavik, and the Soviet Union demanding reversal of the arms race. Ms. Mulhauser currently chairs the Steering Committee of over 150 chapters of the United Nations Association-USA.
Award-winning broadcast journalist and anchor of WJLA/ABC-7’s 6 p.m. weeknight newscasts, Maureen Bunyan, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. Ms. Bunyan was awarded seven local Emmys and is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and the International Women’s Media Foundation.
Where: Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20008.
When: Friday, May 8, 2015, at noon.
The National Center for Health Research is dedicated to improving the health and safety of adults and children by using research to develop more effective treatments and policies. We study a wide range of medical issues. The event supports NCHR’s major program, the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund, which helps adults and children reduce their risk of getting cancer and provides assistance in choosing the safest, most effective treatments. www.stopcancerfund.org