Deadline for Submissions: May 13, 2011. 5:00 p.m. ET (Washington, DC, time)

Media Contact: Ashley Gatewood
gatewooa@pahef.org
202-974-3727

WASHINGTON, DC (April 22, 2011) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) invite you to nominate a remarkable candidate that has made significant contributions to laying the foundation of an all-inclusive universal health care system in one or more of the countries of the Americas for the 2011 Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence in Universal Health Care.

Nominees should have contributed to expanding access to universal, high-quality health care, especially primary care. They should have performed work that has made a significant health impact, demonstrated leadership and excellence in public health, and contributed significantly to the advancement of care, ideally in more than one country in the Americas, with a focus in Latin America and/or the Caribbean.

PAHEF will accept nominations for programs, institutions, or individuals that have contributed to expanding access to universal, high-quality health care, especially primary care.

Nominations may be submitted at www.pahef.org/arouca. The full guidelines are also available at this URL.

The Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) will accept nominations for programs, institutions, or individuals that have contributed to expanding access to universal, high-quality health care, especially primary care:

a) the development and implementation of a policy and/or national strategy of health for all;
b) the promotion of health programs that have made considerable advances in increasing the coverage and quality of care;
c) improving the effectiveness of the management of health systems;
d) the development and implementation of policies and/or health and ethical legislation in the framework of a nation’s health structure;
e) innovative programs that target socially-excluded and geographically-disadvantaged populations;
f)  innovatively-designed programs in the field of education and formalized training of health care workers with the aim of expanding universal health care;
g) efficacy in efforts to interest communities in the planning, management, and appraisal of health programs; and
h) the preparation and execution of relevant research on primary health systems. 

The award consists of a cash prize, certificate of honor, and a symbolic representation of the award. The awardee is invited to attend the annual meeting of the PAHO Directing Council and will be a guest of honor at PAHO/PAHEF’s awards program event in Washington, DC. The awardee will be able to address ministers of health of the hemisphere, their delegations, and invited guests of PAHO at Directing Council with a speech on the topic of universal health care.

The Secretary of Health in Brazil and PAHEF, in cooperation with PAHO, created this award to honor the outstanding legacy of Dr. Sérgio Arouca. 

In 2010, the award was presented to Dr. Maria Fátima de Sousa, of Brazil, for her many contributions to improve universal health care in that country, especially for her role in the creation of Brazil's Basic Health Care Information System.

The Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence in Universal Health Care is part of the Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, a joint initiative of PAHO and PAHEF.

About Dr. Sérgio Arouca

Dr. Sérgio Arouca, a Brazilian national, was an inspiring public health professional and legislator. He held prestigious posts including that of president of the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ). Throughout his career, Dr. Sérgio Arouca championed innovative public health practices and helped lay the foundation of Brazil’s universal health care system.

Please direct questions about this award to awards@pahef.org.

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ABOUT THE AWARDS: The PAHO/PAHEF Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health stimulate the growth of the next and rising generation of leaders working together to improve health and health care in the Americas. A jury of distinguished public health professionals reviews nominations and recommends a candidate for each award to the board of directors of the Foundation for final selection. The awards have the unique distinction of recognizing both established and emerging contributors to the field of public health within the Western Hemisphere. Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the awards are recognized as a career-defining achievement that brings honor and recognition.

ABOUT PAHO: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was established in 1902 and is the world’s oldest public health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the Americas and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

ABOUT PAHEF: Founded in 1968, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity that works with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other strategic partners in the Americas to mobilize resources and jointly address key health, education, and training priorities. With a deep knowledge of major health concerns and strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region, PAHEF builds successful partnerships and projects that advance health in the Americas. 

www.pahef.org/awards

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