At a special recognition ceremony in New York City on Monday, June 10, Mona Hanna received the 2024 National Humanism in Medicine Medal from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The award is intended to honor those in the medical community demonstrating commitment to the kind, safe, and trusted care all people deserve.
Selected for her incredible impact on medicine as a visionary pediatrician, scientist, activist and author, Hanna has landed on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and been recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century.
“It's an honor. So much of what I do is literally standing on the shoulders of giants. To be able to receive this medal for my work pays tribute to the folks that walked before me and enabled me to be who I am,” said Hanna. “This recognition is not so much about me, but really about future generations of learners, students, and doctors who see this and see that this is something they can do, too.”
Serving as the associate dean for public health and a C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Hanna completed her medical degree at MSU in 2002. She is founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative partnership between MSU and the Hurley Children’s Hospital in Flint, Michigan.
Hanna is widely recognized for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis and leading community recovery efforts. She is currently reimagining how society can work together to improve health and eliminate infant poverty with a first-in-the-nation maternal and infant cash prescription program, Rx Kids.
Hanna received the medal alongside internationally renowned nurse scientist and medical sociologist Dr. Afaf Ibrahim Meleis, and health care executive Michael J. Dowling.
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is a leading national nonprofit championing humanism in health care. The foundation defines humanism as compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent care.
This story originally appeared on the College of Human Medicine's Website.
