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ACCESS Health Director Dr. Adnan Hammad Receives Award from the American Cancer Society
Dr. Adnan Hammad received a prestigious award from the American Cancer Society in Los Angeles November 18 for his volunteerism, humanitarianism and distinguished service. The American Cancer Society, the nation’s largest voluntary health organization, honors individuals who are helping to realize the organization’s goal of saving lives and making a world with less cancer. The Society’s national volunteer leaders presented the annual awards to Dr. Hammad, who is the director of the Community Health & Research Center at ACCESS, and two others during the organization’s annual meeting in Los Angeles.
Dr. Hammad received the Humanitarian Award for his critical role in the founding, growth and development of the ACCESS Community Health & Research Center. Dr. Hammad’s commitment has truly made an impact on underprivileged people around the world. As a result of his work, new immigrants, as well as assimilated Arabs, are able to receive critical health and human services, overcoming cultural barriers that often prevent them from receiving the care and support that they need. ACCESS’ clinic has become one of the signature health care providers for roughly 350,000 people in Southeast Michigan.
Dr. Hammad was born in a refugee camp in Palestine, and he continues to do work in the Middle East despite the demands on his time in the U.S. He has been intricately involved in enacting comprehensive cancer control strategies by developing training programs for health care professionals in the Middle East and building partnerships with organizations such as the World Health Organization, the University of Science and Technology in Jordan, and many others. His work impacts the entire Arab world, both domestically and abroad.
The two other awardees were Paul F. Engstrom, M.D., of Philadelphia, who received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of major contributions and commitment in the field of cancer. Samuel J. LaMonte, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Tampa, Florida, was awarded the National Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of long and exemplary service to the Society.
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. A global grassroots force of 3 million volunteers fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. It’s the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about the ACS or to get help, call 1-800-227-2345 anytime, or visit cancer.org.
ACCESS is a human services organization committed to the development of the Arab American community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in America. Its goal is to foster a greater understanding of Arab Culture in the U.S. and in the Arab World. ACCESS provides a wide range of social, mental health, educational, artistic, employment, legal, and medical services, and is dedicated to empowering people to lead more informed, productive, and fulfilling lives. www.accesscommunity.org