World Health Award to Robert Gallo

November 3, 2001

WORLD HEALTH AWARD TO ROBERT GALLO

VIENNA, Austria -- Robert C. Gallo, M.D., Director of the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI), today was awarded the 2001 World Health Award, in prestigious ceremonies held at the Imperial Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria. http://mensworldday.inca.at/main.htm

The award, recognizing "extraordinary scientific research which revolutionizes medicine and for discoveries that improve our lives," was presented by one-time Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a Nobel Prize recipient and president of Men's World Day.

In a unique show of solidarity with the United States, this year's World Awards program, held in conjunction with Men's World Day, was dedicated to the heroes and victims of the tragedies in the United States on September 11, 2001. In recognition of their heroic efforts following the attacks on the World Trade Center, the firefighters from New York were honored with the organization's Men of the Year award.

A scientific leader and co-discoverer of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, Dr. Gallo was honored for both the initial discovery of the virus in 1983 and for the development of the blood test, which for the first time made it possible to track the disease and begin work toward halting the spread of AIDS.

"It is an honor to accept the award from this esteemed group," said Gallo in remarks from Austria. "It is a double honor to accept the award along with this tremendous group of recipients, and to be associated with a ceremony to honor the victims and the heroes from tragedies of September 11. It is a humbling feeling to be included with those who demonstrated such heroic acts like the courageous men and women in the New York Fire Department. Their unselfish acts during and since the travesties of that fateful day are unmatched in recent memory."

Christiaan Barnard, M.D., who revolutionized medicine in 1967 when he successfully conducted the first human heart transplant, received the World Health Award in 2000.

According to Jennie Hunter-Cevera, President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, who attended the ceremony, "Dr. Gallo's research at the IHV in the areas of vaccine development and therapies is among the most promising in the world. As this global crisis continues to grow, we believe the work of Dr. Gallo and his colleagues at the IHV will be linked to many future treatments and hopefully, one day, a vaccine for HIV and AIDS." Hunter-Cevera added, "Marylanders should be very proud that one of their own is being recognized as a world leader - a scientific leader whose work has saved lives and continues to save lives on a daily basis. And, of course, UMBI is very fortunate to have such a dedicated scientist as Dr. Gallo leading this effort."

Others honored during the World Awards ceremony, were:

Steven Spielberg (World Tolerance Award) for establishing the "Survivors of the Shoa Foundation," which has documented the lives of more than 50,000 holocaust survivors, and his efforts to promote tolerance and justice around the world
Ted Turner (World Media Award) for creating CNN, the most important global information medium that has dramatically changed access to information
Paul McCartney (World Arts Award), honoring his contributions to many humanitarian causes, contributions to charity, and patronage of the arts
Sir Richard Branson (World Business Award), for his vision, creativity, and worldwide entrepreneurial success
Luciano Pavarotti (World Social Award), for his global relief effort "Pavarotti & Friends" to help people in need
Professor Anton Zeilinger (World Future Award), for the discovery of beaming, which will dramatically change physics in the 21st century
Hans Dietrich Genscher (World Achievement Award), for his efforts to bring to an end the Cold War, his commitment to the reform processes in the former Eastern Block, and his political achievements in the reunification of Germany
Dolce & Gabbana (World Fashion Award), for artistic innovation in the fashion industry
Alain Delon (World Actor Award), for lifetime achievement as an actor, he has appeared in more than 82 movies and has been a magnet for French theatre.
Guenther Jaunch (Special Award presented by the Committee of World Men's Day), for outstanding accomplishments as Germany's number one show-host on television.

Men's World Day is a global initiative based on humanitarian, social, and philanthropic objectives. Its goal is to support the cause of peace, freedom, and tolerance throughout the world to positively influence the attitudes of men. In only its second year, the World Awards will be presented on November 3 each year to coincide with World Men's Day. Best-selling authors Georg Kindel (Men's Health and the Hormone Revolution) and Professor Siegfried Meryn, M.D., a renowned medical scientist initiated the awards in 2000 to change the health consciousness of men around the world.

For a news article on the event please visit the Daily Record online.

The Institute of Human Virology was established to create and develop a world-class center of excellence focusing on chronic viral diseases and virally linked cancers. The IHV is dedicated to discovery, research, treatment, and prevention of these diseases and cancers. Its unique structure seeks to connect cohesive, multidisciplinary research and clinical programs so that new treatments are streamlined from discovery to patient. The IHV serves patients locally and the scientific community globally. The Institute of Human Virology, a center of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, was formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University of Maryland System, and the University of Maryland Medical System.

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Contact:
Ken Frager, IHV,
410.706.4616
frager@umbi.umd.edu